By Ethan Seiderman and Natalie Heslop
Wyndham Council is facing a wave of backlash after councillors voted to redirect $24 million in developer contributions originally earmarked for Point Cook.
When new housing estates are developed, councils collect contributions from developers to help fund local infrastructure such as community centres and sporting facilities. In this case, the funds — gathered over more than a decade — were expected to support projects within Point Cook but have now been reallocated elsewhere in the municipality.
Point Cook resident Aradhana Arya, who has lived in the suburb for seven years, describes the decision as “extremely disappointing”.
“I tried to see if there was ever a precedent about funds given by developers for a certain suburb being used in another suburb — and I couldn’t find any,” she says.
Arya says Point Cook, home to about 70,000 people, still lacks basic facilities.
“There’s no indoor basketball facility — in winter, what do kids do? I would’ve loved a swimming pool in Point Cook… my husband doesn’t know how to swim and he’d love to learn. I don’t think there’s a community centre that caters to the older generation. Even for people like me… after work, what is there to do?” she says.
The move is especially unfair given the suburb’s diverse and growing population, she says. “We’re one of the most multicultural suburbs in Victoria — people from more than 80 countries live here. These funds could support services for migrants and non-migrants.”
Arya also questions why the funds had sat untouched for so long. “That’s another shock. Were they invested? Even a conservative 1 or 2 per cent interest would’ve ballooned the amount over 10 years. Maybe use the interest elsewhere if needed, but leave the capital for Point Cook — that’s what it was given for,” she says.
Local state MP Matthew Hilkari echoed residents’ frustration.
“These are funds that came from Point Cook and should be spent in Point Cook,” he says. “Developer contributions have always been spent on the community they were intended for across Wyndham – except this time.”
Residents have signed a petition calling on council to reverse the decision. Hilkari has pledged to raise the issue in Parliament.
Despite the backlash, Wyndham Mayor Mia Shaw has defended the move.
“We’re getting on with the job of exploring opportunities for a major regional community events space – a place that can accommodate our growing number of community groups and which can host large events,” she says.
In a statement published on the Wyndham Council website, Shaw adds: “In line with the good governance principles outlined in the Local Government Act, Council must govern in the best interests of the whole of the municipality.”
Arya remains hopeful the funds can still be recovered.
“There’s always hope. You never know until the fat lady sings,” she says. “I just wish there were more people like me who spoke out or fought for it.”
