By Jaidyn Kennedy
A former Wyndham mayor has slammed a council proposal for a private security trial that will only operate in Truganina.
Council’s draft 2025-26 budget, which was endorsed by councillors on April 22, includes a ’Truganina security patrol’ which would take its funding from $372,000 allocated to community safety and strengthening programs.
Former mayor Kim McAliney said was “ludicrous“ that council was even considering the trial.
“This is not core business and it’s not good governance – it should be with the state government and Victoria Police [to handle],“ she said.
“I don’t care if it’s a trial, the trial shouldn’t go ahead.
“It would set a huge and terrible precedent.”
Ms McAliney said that if council wanted to trial private security patrols, they should be done through a special suburb levy or left to body corporates and private arrangements.
“I’m all about safety, but you have to be realistic – this is something the council should not be taking up,” she said.
“There has never been an expectation that all residents pay for security in one suburb.”
Ms McAliney said she was appealing to residents to make their views known.
“I certainly will not be paying my rates if this goes through and I implore that ratepayers and the community register their complaints,“ she said.
“I feel there is tension in the chamber, but if we don’t have public outcry it will go through.”
In the chamber, councillor Susan McIntyre questioned the decision.
“We are cutting key programs like coffee with the cops and instead funding punitive patrols,” Cr McIntyre said.
“Should your rates be funding private security patrols in Truganina?”
A Wyndham spokesperson said the specifics of the funding are yet to be finalised or endorsed by council, and the final budget, which is expected to be tabled at the June 25 council meeting, will include resident feedback.
The spokesperson did not answer why Truganina was the proposed site of the trial, nor did they answer how much of the $372,000 would go towards the private patrol itself.
To provide feedback on the draft budget: theloop.wyndham.vic.gov.au
