Wyndham residents will soon have another voice to represent them, with a former councillor involved in setting up the first city-wide residents group.
Marcel Mahfoud, the current vice-president of the Truganina Community Group, said a broader body was needed.
“After chatting to people I realised there was a need for such a group so that people can network while also having a voice,” Mr Mahfoud said.
“You get such a sense of community from being part of a residents group. If you don’t know your neighbours, then you don’t feel like you are part of the community.
“This will be a stand-alone group, separate from the council, and whatever the members want to be its purpose is what it will be.”
The presidents of the Manor Lakes Residents Association and the Point Cook Action Group have already agreed to support the new group.
Mr Mahfoud said members would decide every aspect of the yet-to-be-named association.
“I’m hoping that one part of it will be an advocacy group that speaks up for residents and the other part will be a networking opportunity where people can connect with their neighbours and find out what’s happening.”
Mr Mahfoud said he was not worried that Wyndham already had too many residents associations, as the new group would offer ‘‘something different’’.
“There’s a need for one central group to connect the dots,” he said.
A workshop will be held at The Grange Community Centre at 7.30pm on June 24, where the group’s name and purpose will be agreed upon. For more details, email marcelmahfoud@hotmail.com.
