Wyndham Council Faces Criticism for Diverting Infrastructure Funds

The City of Wyndham, located in Melbourne's expanding western suburbs, is under scrutiny following its decision to redirect a substantial portion of developer contributions intended for local infrastructure in Point Cook. This move has ignited backlash from residents who argue that their community is in dire need of basic amenities.

Point Cook, home to approximately 70,000 residents, is experiencing rapid growth but lacks essential facilities, such as sports infrastructure. According to local residents, the council has earmarked $24 million in developer contributions for projects outside their suburb, which has raised concerns about transparency and prioritization of community needs.

Dwayne Kelly, a Point Cook resident and advocate for local infrastructure, has initiated an online petition demanding that the City of Wyndham allocate the funds back to Point Cook. Kelly stated, "This is really wrong. A lot of the community probably didn’t know … so I wanted to create awareness, to say this is happening, this what our council are doing to us, and it’s not right."

The decision has also prompted criticism from state Labor MP Mat Hilakari, who highlighted the community's significant need for sports facilities. "Wyndham Council says that Point Cook requires the equivalent of 12 indoor basketball courts. We do not have a pool in Point Cook, and it is the largest and most multicultural suburb in the country," he emphasized during a recent parliamentary session.

In response to the backlash, Wyndham Mayor Mia Shaw defended the council’s decision, asserting that the funds are being allocated for a major regional community events space that would benefit all residents in the municipality. She explained, "The majority of councillors think this is the best way to spend the residual developer funds — so that all residents across Wyndham and elsewhere can benefit."

However, the mayor's remarks have been met with skepticism. Critics argue that the diversion of funds constitutes a breach of trust, as residents expect that developer contributions will directly benefit the areas from which they are collected. Moira Deeming, the state opposition’s special representative on the western suburbs, echoed these concerns, stating, "I don’t think it passes the pub test. Point Cook is famous for poorly planned, overcrowded roads and facilities."

The ongoing debate has raised questions about governance and accountability within local councils. Hilakari has called for an investigation by oversight agencies, including the Local Government Inspectorate and the Victorian Ombudsman, to ensure that council decisions are made transparently and in the best interest of the community.

As the situation unfolds, residents of Point Cook continue to advocate for their right to infrastructure that reflects their growing population and community needs. With a petition gathering momentum, the demand for equitable resource allocation remains at the forefront of local discourse, challenging the City of Wyndham to reconsider its funding strategies and prioritize the voices of its constituents.