Bacchus Marsh residents gain a ‘new voice’

THE recently formed Bacchus Marsh Residents Association will provide a central community voice on key issues, says one of its founding members.

Vice-president Margaret Scarff said she hoped the group, with nearly 100 active members, would forge a close working relationship with Moorabool Council.

“A forum for all Bacchus Marsh residents is long overdue,” she said.

“I’m excited that we have a committed core group which sees the need to bring the voice of the community into council in a structured and legitimate way, and a way the council will recognise and work with.”

Mrs Scarff, the former secretary of a similar group in Caroline Springs, said members could help Moorabool Council engage with residents.

“Council develops concepts and plans and prioritises these without first consulting the community,” she said.

“The whole Avenue of Honour debacle is an excellent example of this.

“Having a representative from the council on the Western Highway Realignment Working Group is not the same as consulting the community, especially if the representative has firm views of his or her own.”

The group plans to meet every Friday morning from February 1.

More details: facebook.com/bacchusmarshresidentsassociation