Hi everyone.

We won’t keep you for long!

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What we did this week

·      We reached 102 signatures!!!!!!! Thank you!!! We knew this petition would attract strong sentiment from residents but this response blew us away. 

·      Due to the overwhelming response, we will continue collecting signatures this week. We will advise 48h before we are going to close the petition, and suggest that you continue asking people to sign ASAP.

·      We doorknocked on Devonshire, Suffolk and Montgomery Streets. Residents on Suffolk St unanimously communicated concerns about safety and security. Many residents knew and could identify the problem house without us pointing it out. The impact seemed to be less on Devonshire Street, but we are keen to speak to more residents on that street.

·      We spoke to 7/11 staff, who expressed frustration at their issues with sketchy characters – theft, abuse, people intimidating customers – and the fact that Victoria Police doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it even though they call in issues regularly. You want to guess what advice Victoria Police gives them every time? To just keep reporting the issues. I can’t tell you how many times we and other residents have been told this!

The response from Maribyrnong City Council

·      We have had ongoing communication with council and have had mixed responses. The councillors in particular have generally been supportive and willing to engage with us. We will continue speaking to them. We have shared the link to our petition so they are fully aware of what we are doing. They will be reading the comments you have all written!

What next?

·      We will be requesting a face-to-face meeting with Stony Creek Ward councillors before tabling the petition at the next suitable council meeting, which we will attend. 

How can we get more traction?

The Stony Creek Ward Councillors have been willing to speak about this matter. We encourage you to contact them with any feelings about this matter. Please CC WeFowatch@gmail.com if you would like to copy us in.  

Their contact details are available online: https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/About-us/Your-Councillors 

Please continue sharing the petition link on social media and to local residents, asking for local (3012) signatories. 

Thank you so much for your support.