Hobsons Bay residents are invited to provide input to the Hobsons Bay 2030 Community Vision and the development of the Council Plan 2021-2025.

We encourage you to have your say over Council plans for our future, you can provide a quick survey response here https://participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/refreshing-community-vision-hobsons-bay

With regard to The Substation, our community needs to let Council know that they should not fund an undemocratic, self-elected and self serving organisation that excludes local residents.

Hobsons Bay City Council should not be providing over $1M in funding to an organisation that has taken control of an asset created by volunteers in our community, for the benefit of all citizens of Hobsons Bay.

This self-elected Committee of Management of The Substation restricts membership of the Incorporated Association and limits access to a privileged few.

Let the Council know that The Substation must become more inclusive in both its organisational structure and in the arts based activities it promotes; otherwise it should be stripped of its $1M of ratepayers funding.

For more information and to participate visit https://participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/refreshing-community-vision-hobsons-bay

Assessment by Local Government Inspectorate (LGI).

Excluded members of The Substation Inc. have raised a complaint to the Victorian Local Government Inspectorate which has completed an preliminary assessment into this matter and referred it to IBAC.

Assessment by Independent Broad-based Anti Corruption Commission (IBAC)

The Local Government Inspectorate has referred the case to the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti Corruption Commission and has requested that an assessment of the complaint be undertaken. 

Excluded members welcome assessments by IBAC

Residents and businesses of Hobsons Bay worked tirelessly over sixteen years and contributed over $2.5 million dollars to restore the Newport Substation and create a welcoming Community Arts Centre for all to enjoy. 

This dream was stolen by alleged misconduct and breaches of legislation protecting Members rights. 

It is time that the truth be told; for the democratic principals of membership to be restored and for our community to resume its rightful place on the Committee of Management at The Substation Inc.