Decision slammed as reckless spending
A former Wyndham Mayor has criticised a proposal in the draft 2025–26 Wyndham City Council budget to trial private security patrols in Truganina, calling it a “dangerous and dreadful precedent.”
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The controversial $372,000 allocation was included in the budget endorsed by councillors on April 22. The funds, currently listed under community safety and strengthening programs, would support a private security initiative operating only in Truganina.
In a statement provided to Wyndham TV, former Mayor Kim McAliney said: “It is not within Council’s core business nor aligned with principles of sound governance to trial privately contracted security services funded by all ratepayers.”
McAliney, who served over a decade on Council, raised concerns about the direction of recent budget decisions, describing them as lacking transparency and accountability.
“Disturbingly, it appears that just over half of our elected Councillors—many with less than six months of experience—are now making decisions on behalf of the entire Council for millions of dollars,” she said.
She also criticised the changing internal culture of the Council, stating: “It is deeply concerning that experienced and well-connected Councillors have begun walking out during confidential business—something I never witnessed during my eleven years on Council. This has now become a regular occurrence.”
“The most recent example being a newly appointed Councillor exiting a crucial draft budget session just last week. Clearly, something is amiss.”
Inside the chamber, Cr Susan McIntyre also challenged the proposal.
“We are cutting key programs like Coffee with the Cops and instead funding punitive patrols,” she said. “Should your rates be funding private security patrols in Truganina?”
However, Cr Preet Singh, who represents the Bemin Ward and supports the trial, welcomed the funding.
“It is no secret that the safety of our residents is a subject very close to my heart,” Cr Singh said. “That is why I’m very pleased to see the allocation of the funds in this budget for a community safety and strengthening program, focusing on improved lighting and a security patrol trial in Truganina.”
“While the details are still to be worked out, the trial in Truganina is one where we can work with the police to improve the perception of public safety in our community,” he added.
The proposal comes amid growing concern about the impact of Wyndham’s single-member ward system. Each of the city’s 11 councillors now represents a separate ward, replacing the former multi-councillor ward model.
Critics argue that this structure has encouraged councillors to prioritise their individual suburbs rather than broader municipal outcomes. Decisions like the Truganina security trial are being cited as examples of this hyper-local focus, raising questions about equity and collaboration.
In her statement, McAliney warned: “Yes, election promises may be made—but acting on them without fiscal responsibility or due process is reckless. Councillors are not handed an open cheque book when elected.”
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She said more sustainable alternatives have existed in the past, such as supporting community groups to work with Victoria Police or exploring user-pays models.
“Let’s not forget that Council remains constrained by the State Government’s 3% rate cap, and we will be home to 540,000 residents in years to come,” she said. “Every dollar directed towards private security means less for essential infrastructure.”
McAliney also pointed to steep increases in council fees, which she detailed in her statement:
Community room hire fees up by 40%
Statutory planning general enquiries up by 57%
Planning permit fees up by 42%
“This is unacceptable, what happened to CPI rises?” she said.
“An annual budget should be a collaborative and proud process for all 11 Councillors—marked by transparency, detailed business cases, officer reports, and robust discussion. Instead, we now witness millions of dollars being inserted into the budget without consultation or proper governance. This is not how we serve the people of Wyndham.”
A Wyndham City Council spokesperson has said that funding details are not yet final and will be informed by community feedback ahead of the final budget, due to be tabled on June 25.
The spokesperson did not explain why Truganina was chosen for the trial, nor how much of the $372,000 would directly fund the patrol itself.
McAliney concluded her statement with a direct message to residents.
“I stand firm in 25 years living in the municipality—if there was ever a time to put pen to paper, it’s now. Don’t underestimate the power of your voice.”
