Hume council has promised to ensure Sunbury continues to receive a fair deal in future budgets.
With the question of an independent Sunbury settled, for now, chief executive Domenic Isola said the town has not suffered as a result of the uncertainty of recent years.
‘‘I don’t like the notion that we haven’t looked after it, because we have,’’ he said.
Mr Isola said the council would continue to look after the municipality as a whole when preparing budgets, allocating capital works funding on an as-needs basis.
‘‘There’s always people peeking over the back fence to see what someone else has got, but we sit there and look at what is the highest priority.’’
The previous government’s gazettal of orders for a new Sunbury council was formally rescinded last week.
Mr Isola said the council was working on plans for a global learning centre and heated hydrotherapy pool in Sunbury.
‘‘We’re also looking at what we do with a third [railway] crossing and carparking.
‘All of these projects get put onto an overall list and the councillors go through with the officers’ assistance and look at the highest priorities.’’
Focus on Sunbury
Sunbury Residents Association president Bernie O’Farrell said people wanted to see a greater focus on Sunbury’s needs in future budgets.
‘‘We don’t accept the auditors’ findings … our expectation is that, while we remain part of Hume, the town will get its fair share.’’
Mr O’Farrell said inadequate carparking remained a perennial problem.
As reported by Star Weekly in June, the council defended claims its 2015-16 budget was too focused on the east of the municipality.
Cr Jack Ogilvie voted against the budget, saying there was little in it for Sunbury. He claimed ‘‘all the big money’’ was being spent in areas such as Craigieburn.
Mr Isola pointed to plans for a new warm water pool at Sunbury Aquatic Centre ($400,000), new civic centre designs ($2million) and reconstruction of a Wildwood Road bridge.
A total of $1.75 million has been set aside to redevelop Clarke Oval’s McMahon pavilion, and $650,000 for the refurbishment of the Langama Park pavilion.
Sunbury Community Progress Association previously said it believed the town continued to get a fair deal.
