By XAVIER SMERDON
MAYORS from across the West met last week for the first time this year to discuss issues affecting each of their municipalities.
Wyndham Mayor Kim McAliney, Maribyrnong Mayor John Cumming and Chair of Administrators at Brimbank Council Peter Lewinsky met for an informal lunch last Wednesday.
It was the first time the leaders had come together this year and high on the agenda was the lack of funding in the State and Federal budgets.
“One of the things that constantly comes up is the allocation of funding into the West, which appears to be somewhat arbitrary,” Mr Lewinsky told Star.
“It’s a bit of a guess each year and you tend to hold your breath to see if we will get anything rather than approaching it in a planned and concerted way.”
Mr Lewinsky said it was important for the western councils to meet regularly and decide on different ways forward for the West.
“The West is no longer the industrial part of Melbourne in the industrial and the residential part of Melbourne,” he said.
“I think it is wrong for local government to constantly criticise the State and Federal government’s, but there seems to be a greater awareness of the needs of the East and South East.
“It comes to a point where we need to work together.”
The three leaders said other issues affecting each council were gambling, graffiti and infrastructure
“These get-togethers allow us to coordinate ideas and promote our areas to the State and Federal governments,” Cr Cumming said.
“We’re always ready and able to help each other.”
