The Sunbury poll result has evoked mixed reactions, with some voters saying they didn’t really understand what they were voting on and most saying they have no idea what happens next.
Sixty per cent of the 51.03 per cent of Hume ratepayers who voted supported Sunbury getting its own shire. Of the 383 Diggers Rest residents eligible to vote, 141 voted yes and 77 voted no.
For those behind the Yes-vote push, the reaction has been positive, with most believing the poll delivered an adequately strong affirmation of a stand-alone shire.
Sunbury Residents Association president Bernie O’Farrell, who campaigned for the Yes vote, said he was happy with the result.
“It was about what we expected and the votes in the rest of the municipality were really good,” Mr O’Farrell said. “It shows they believe in what we are trying to achieve.”
He said he didn’t believe that residents who voted Yes but lived in parts of Hume further from Sunbury had done so because they didn’t want Sunbury in Hume any more.
Mr O’Farrell believes Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell will now form a panel to assess the shire’s future, but he doesn’t think this is likely to happen this year.
Kym Schubert, who voted against the move, said she was disappointed with the high Yes vote.
“There are a lot of people who did not vote, and I hope the minister realises that it is not as cut and dried as some people have said.’’
She described the behaviour of some residents in the lead-up to the vote as “pathetic”.
Sunbury resident Edith Collins told the Weekly: “I don’t know [if] Sunbury can afford to stand alone.”
Incoming mayor Casey Nunn said: “People from both sides of the argument have been saying the results are good, as the results can be taken either way.
“We [the council] will be seeking clarification on what is next and making sure that no one is worse off.”
