The petition contains over 700 signatures. The push for Yarrawonga Shire is being driven by a group called ‘The YEXIT Committee’ comprising four committed-to-Yarrawonga residents Johnny Leary, John Taylor, Nick Dykes and Damien Vodusek who would welcome additional committee members.
“It's time for us to come together as a community and YEXIT, ‘Yarrawonga's Exit’, and form our own shire. Within this petition we propose to de-amalgamate from the Moira Shire and form our own local council, Yarrawonga Shire,” Mr Leary told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“We have a letter from the Minister for Local Government, Ms Melissa Horne who has said that what we propose is possible, but we need a strong showing of support for her to take any action on this.”
Precedents of de-amalgamations were cited by the group: Mansfield de-amalgamating from the Delatite Shire 20 years ago in Victoria and more recently Gundagai Shire NSW was successful this year removing itself from the Cootamundra Shire.
“Both instances were made possible through strong local support, they started with a petition,” Mr Leary said.
“For too long, our town, Yarrawonga has been a long way down the priority list for the Moira Shire. Our growth has been severely hampered since Moira's inception.”
The group was critical of the Yarra Mul Swimming Pool and said the basketball stadium has been promised for over 15 years and still not delivered.
“Industry and local businesses have been severely limited and held back by council,” Mr Leary said. “And most submissions to council to utilise the foreshore on the lake have been denied, including an adventure playground that ended up being built by our neighbours at the Federation Council in Mulwala which was absolutely embarrassing.
“We have had enough with being way down the pecking order, it's time to stand on our own two feet and finally have a say in what happens in our town, not be at the mercy of a council far removed from us.”
YEXIT is also concerned about the former Yarrawonga Primary School site in Piper Street. “Our group understands it is being offered to the shire for a very cheap price by the Education Department but has refused the offer,” group members said.
“The people of Yarrawonga consider it to be a real asset. It’s something YEXIT will certainly look at.”
Prior to Victorian municipal amalgamation in 1993, Yarrawonga, Tungamah, Cobram, Nathalia and Numurkah were shires in their own right before uniting to form Moira Shire, one of the few shires, because of its size, to be set up with four commissioners before the election of councillors to replace the commissioners.
The YEXIT Committee’s message regarding the petition is: “Thank you for reading, please sign, share and help us make Yarrawonga in charge of its own destiny. It's possible, we just need a united front.”
Community members wishing to join the YEXIT are invited to ring Johnny Leary (0417 138141) or John Taylor (0419 363101).
Regarding the signing of the petition visit: Yexit - Yarrawonga needs it's own council.
Mayor responds to YEXIT
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