THE launch of the Cambridge Coburn and Watts Residents Association might have been met with some controversy, but the group has been pleased with the response of Melton Shire residents.
The group was formed late last year and immediately attracted claims of possible conflicts of interest, with president Michael Matalewski being a long-time friend of deputy mayor Broden Borg and its secretary, Lara Carli, being the sister of mayor Justin Mammarella.
Mr Matalewski says the claims were unfounded.
“I don’t feel there is a conflict of interest,” he said.
“While we do discuss community issues with Broden, our opinions are independent of the mayor and deputy mayor.”
Melton Residents Association secretary David Axon also questioned the need for another residents group when separate groups existed in Melton, Diggers Rest, Exford and Eynesbury.
Mr Matalewski said his group sought to “unite the three wards of the shire”.
The fledgling group of mostly 20-somethings has 12 members, including Mr Matalewski and vice-president Rhiannon Philpot-Hale.
Mr Matalewski, a former Melton Secondary College student, said the group was campaigning for more police for the shire, duplication of the Melton Highway, and creation of a hard-waste collection.
It also supports the campaign for a 24-hour hospital in Melton and a name change to reflect Melton’s city status.
Ms Carli, a former Whittlesea mayor, said this could assist with future funding for projects such as a hospital.
“I don’t believe Melton is a shire any more,” she said.
“While there still are rural areas, the township is growing.
“I do believe funding is rated on whether you are a shire or a city and this would put us in a better position for things like a hospital. We may be given more grants.”
Ms Carli also disagreed that the group’s friendship and family connections could cause problems.
“[Justin and I] are both community-minded people and we never discuss what we are doing in our meetings,” she said.
“I’ve always been involved in community and I’ve wanted to join a residents association.
“What attracted me to the group was that Michael wanted to involve the whole shire, not just one suburb.”
