By Benjamin Millar
The controversy over Melbourne Victory’s proposal to build a soccer academy in Footscray Park has taken another turn with Maribyrnong council forced to demand people voting online for members of a new advisory group show proof they are local residents.
Maribyrnong councillors voted in August to reject a draft master plan drawn up for the park that included the new soccer academy on the western flank, electing to send the proposal to a new community advisory panel for further consideration.
Twenty-six candidates for the five community representative positions on the Footscray Park Community Advisory Group have been listed on the council’s Your City Your Voice website. The five candidates who receive the most votes will be granted a place in the group.
The council previously used the voting system in 2017 to fill places on its parking management community advisory group, but opposing sides in the soccer academy debate raised fears the vote could be stacked by people living outside Maribyrnong.
The council has responded to the concerns by taking the unprecedented step of requiring people upload proof of residence such as a recent rates notice or utilities bill.
People who had already cast a vote were contacted via email and told they needed to verify their address for their vote to be counted.
Council chief executive Stephen Wall said the council was initially relying on people being honest when they stated their suburb at the time of registration and voting.
“Following concerns raised by residents and by posts on social media, we are now asking voters to provide proof of residency. We will also verify the eligibility of those who have already voted,” he said. “While we are hopeful that a democratic election process will reflect the community’s wishes, this can never be 100 per cent guaranteed by any election process.”
Mr Wall said once the five members of the advisory group have been confirmed, the group will meet with an independent facilitator.
Footscray Park Community Advisory Group voting closes 5pm, Wednesday, October 9.
