Cade Lucas
Two incoming Hobsons Bay councillors have declared their support for residents of the Techno Park estate.
Independent candidates Lisa Bentley and Michael Disbury were elected to represent Williamstown and Williamstown North wards respectively at last month’s election, among five new councillors elected for the next four years.
In May last year Hobsons Bay council moved to evict the 50 residents of the Techno Park, sparking fierce community backlash with Daria Kellander the only sitting councillor to speak out against it.
Councillor Kellander was one of just two councillors to seek re-election last month, winning Altona ward.
She’ll no longer be a lone voice on the issue.
“I’m in support of Techno Park and in support of the people living there and not kicking them out but allowing them to stay,” said councillor Bentley, who won in her second attempt at running for council.
Councillor Disbury, a local businessman, also confirmed to Star Weekly that he supports allowing Techno Park residents to stay.
Both councillors had earlier signed a pledge from the Save Techno Park campaign that they supported allowing residents to stay, as did Cr Kellander and the winner of Altona North ward Rayane Hawli.
Neither Cr Kellander or Cr Hawli responded to Star Weekly’s inquiries.
The other elected councillors, Paddy Keys Machpherson in Laverton, Kristin Bishop in Spotswood and returning councillor Diana Grima in Altona Meadows did not sign the pledge and have yet to make their views on Techno Park clear.
None of the three candidates responded to Star Weekly before deadline.
However, Cr Bentley did and expressed her excitement at being elected.
“We’ve had the same councillors for a long time, over 20 years in some cases, and we now have a fresh voice and a new generation of councillors who want to make a difference,” she told Star Weekly, highlighting better basic services, the removal of paid parking from Williamstown and lowering fees and charges as other areas she would focus on.
Cr Disbury also expressed frustration with the previous council and said he just wanted better governance and efficiency.
“I’m a fresh new face, I’m well qualified with an MBA, I’m a small business owner and I’m someone who lives locally and is fully connected to my local community,” he said, adding that keeping Champion Road open and traffic issues on Mason Street and Maddox Road were among his other priorities.
