By Concerned Glengala Villagers
In the heart of Sunshine West, Glengala Village has long been a vibrant hub of small businesses, serving as a vital center for the local community. However, recent streetscape improvement plans by Brimbank City Council have sparked significant community backlash. While the council promotes these changes as improvements, many locals view them as alterations made for the sake of change rather than addressing genuine community needs.
A choice between dumb and dumber
The Council presented two design options for the Glengala Village Streetscape Improvements, both aimed at creating a safer and more attractive environment. Option 1 included a central pedestrian crossing and a net loss of three on-street parking spaces, while Option 2 removed the central crossing altogether but maintained existing parking.
One resident summed up the sentiment by saying, “We were literally asked to pick between dumb and dumber! Why would they even propose removing the pedestrian crossing? It made zero sense!”
Despite overwhelming community feedback favouring the retention of parking, the Council ultimately adopted an augmented version of Option 1, promising to add three parking spaces nearby to compensate for the loss. Yet, local traders and residents remain dissatisfied, feeling that their concerns were not genuinely considered.
A petition opposing the removal and reconfiguration of parking spaces quickly garnered hundreds of signatures, but the Council rejected it outright. One frustrated shop owner remarked, “It’s not just taking away spaces, the new design will likely bottleneck the road, making it harder to navigate around cars trying to parallel park. Right now, the road is wide enough to go around easily. Why make it more difficult?”
Another resident voiced their dismay: “We asked them to fix the crooked footpath, but instead, they want to rip up the whole road. Why can’t they just make the simple changes the community wants?”
This road redevelopment adds salt to the wound of traders whose businesses are struggling to bounce back following lockdowns during the pandemic, and last year’s arson attack on a convenience store which left three businesses having to stop trading for up to 6 months for repairs. Glengala Village is also stressed by the demand for affordable goods and services, while also facing higher operating expenses. A disruption to trading whilst works are undertaken, even in the short-term, does not favour the retail strip.
Council initiatives: a history of disappointment
This is not the first time the Council’s initiatives have come under fire. In 2021, the West Sunshine 20-Minute Neighbourhood Pilot Program introduced road art to Glengala Road, initially brightening up the area. However, poor maintenance led to its rapid deterioration, raising concerns about the longevity, necessity and upkeep of future projects.
The bigger issue: ignoring community feedback
The situation raises fundamental questions: What happens when the community does not want a change? Do councils have the right to force a project on their ratepayers, claiming it is ‘for your own good’ and justifying it with budget allocations?
Locals argue that if a project meets strong opposition, like the current road redevelopment, there should be a formal mechanism to reassess the decision. As one resident put it, “If we got thousands of signatures, I still don’t think this Council would reconsider. But surely at some point, Council needs to admit the community doesn’t support it.”
For any development to succeed, councils must not only seek community input with better communication strategies but also demonstrate that feedback shapes the final decision. Only then can they rebuild trust and ensure projects reflect the needs of the people they serve.
As Brimbank City Council plans to begin upgrade works in the 2026–2027 financial year, the Glengala Village community continues to call for more meaningful consultation and a genuine willingness to reevaluate plans based on local feedback. After all, it takes a village to build a strong community.