By Alesha Capone
WYNDHAM’S community leaders have nominated road congestion, transport, jobs and police numbers as the biggest challenges facing the area during 2011.
As the new year began, Star asked the municipality’s councillors what they saw as the most important issues in Wyndham.
Councillor Kim McAliney said Wyndham required more police officers.
“We need additional police. We cannot have 10-12,000 residents moving into the area every year and having a paltry number of police,” she said.
“I believe our local police are struggling.”
“I would like to see Wyndham North Police Station operational 24/7.”
Cr Shane Bourke also said a higher number of police was a priority for Wyndham.
“I believe that the safety of our residents is paramount,” he said.
“It goes without saying that police numbers need to keep up with our incredibly fast growth rate.”
In addition, most councillors said job creation in the area would help reduce the amount of traffic on Wyndham’s roads.
“Almost 70 per cent of our residents have to work outside the city which creates huge pressure on roads and the public transport system,” Cr McAliney said.
Mayor John Menegazzo said he would focus on “advocating strongly to State and Federal Governments to address this problem”, as well as partnering with private enterprises which could help the area.
A former mayor, Cr Heather Marcus, said she believed road congestion and the availability of car parking at Werribee Railway Station were Wyndham’s greatest challenges.
“We need to encourage people to travel by public transport, but we need to make sure we provide or get the government to provide adequate parking or ‘park and ride’ services,” she said.
Cr Cynthia Manson said access to employment, services and shops was an important part of strengthening the community.
Cr Glenn Goodfellow said better public transport for outer areas, such as Tarneit, and the Duncans Rd off-ramps were also needed.
“The biggest challenge for Wyndham would be being the fastest-growing municipality in Victoria still, with additional things like arterial road networks, public transport and health services,” he said.
