Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn has rejected accusations he broke a promise over future use of the former Sunvale Primary School site.
Several Sunshine community groups have accused Mr Finn of breaking a promise during the 2010 election campaign to deliver all of the school site for open space, and of side-stepping a community rally (pictured) on Sunday, May 18.
The eastern half of the site has been up for sale since April 30, while the Brimbank council bought the western section earlier this year.
However, Mr Finn said the alleged promise was merely “a yarn they [Save Sunvale] started to spread” in recent months.
“That promise was never made, never, ever, ever. You can provide a Bible or the Koran or a Footy Record, I’ll swear on all those, that promise was never made.
“I have spent more time on this site, on this issue, than on any other single issue in the west, and it’s a very big electorate.
“Sometimes you have to accept something is not possible.”
Mr Finn described the Sunday rally, which was attend by Gellibrand MP Tim Watts and the Greens’ Colleen Hartland, as a “political fit- up”.
Participants at the rally proposed 11 actions, including contacting the state Ombudsman over the “flawed tender process” of the school site.
Council budget papers revealed that Brimbank residents, on average, travel 2.2 kilometres to reach open public spaces, which is about half of the average 4.5 kilometres for the total Melbourne metropolitan area.
