Why City of Moonee Valley residents want to rejoin Melbourne
Why do residents want Kensington reunited under the City of Melbourne?  - part 2

Our poll of residents and traders in all of Kensington early this year produced an extraordinary result:  Of the 604 why returned questionnaires, over 90% want a reunited Kensington under the City of Melbourne.

Those who are already under Melbourne want to stay there; those under Moonee Valley want to change.  

Quite a few people wrote comments on their questionnaires.  Their comments show why.

Here are comments by people on the City of Moonee Valley side of Kensington on why they want to rejoin the City of Melbourne:


  • I have experienced both and wish to return to City of Melbourne ... please!!!

  • Having lived under both councils - much prefer Melbourne.

  • The side of Kensington that is managed by City of Melb. is much better managed.

  • City of Melbourne have a better understanding of unique and converted dwelling requirements - Moonee Valley acts on the premise everyone has a front and back yard, driveway, etc. - more typically suburban oriented.

  • As a resident of Kensington since 1956 when we were under the City of Melbourne had better service.

  • I don't feel that Moonee Valley looks after Kensington as well as its other suburbs.

  • Dirtiest streets in Melbourne [Rankins Road resident].

  • Has to be better than MV!

  • Makes more sense [to be administered by City of Melbourne] - plus I've found it more efficient having been a resident for over 30 year and experienced both.

  • The original division was ill-conceived and our services have deteriorated.

  • Moonee Valley don't look after us well!

  • We were very upset at the change and remain the same.

  • Our street and parks are poorly maintained by MVCC.  Library fines have increased with no sensitivity to our lower income/non-English speaking neighbours.  Nothing in common with other residents in MVCC, e.g. Essendon.

  • We used to live in Melbourne and we were pleased with the service provided.

  • Kensington is like an afterthought to Moonee Valley Council, i.e. rubbish everywhere, unkempt areas.

  • We are ignored by Moonee Valley - we loved COM council when we were in it - MVCC does not compare.

  • City of Melbourne seems to run things better (e.g. Skinny Park) and MVC are very difficult to deal with.

  • In 12 years we have lived in Melbourne, Essendon and Moonee Vally and yet we haven't moved [house],  but the amenities and service have continued to decrease.

  • Services and maintenance have deteriorated since moving to Moonee Valley.

  • To be as it was before the Kennett boundary change.

  • City of Moonee Valley does not treat Kensington with respect.

  • Kensington is neglected by the City of Moonee Valley and services and amenities offered which affect our day to day life are below the standard afforded to other suburbs in the municipality.

  • The standard of service particularly the cleaning of streets was dramatically reduced when the enforced changes were made, also having a street (Macaulay Road) split in two is ridiculous.  One only has to look at the level of streetscapes and tree planting in areas like Essendon and Moonee Ponds to know that Moonee Valley Council does not have a great deal of interest in Kensington.

  • I have been involved with both Councils since the partition, and always found Melbourne City Council to have a better understanding of the needs and differences inherent in an inner city community.  Moonee Ponds has consistently given the impression that they are geared towards the traditional suburban community, with private driveways, personal ownership of lawn mowers and so on.  I do not think that I have ever had a satisfying contact with Moonee Valley Council.  Melbourne City Council were consistently helpful and willing to provide assistance.  Frankly found Moonee Pond Council to see the needs of Kensington residents as an impost and not cost effective.  I actually had this said to me at one stage, that our rates payments barely covered the cost of the services provided.  Given the number of frontages in our streets, all of which no doubt paying rates, this seemed hard to believe, but perhaps it is true.  I[t] hardly made me feel as if we have any value or voice with Moonee Ponds.

  • Previously under Melb. City Council things were better & rates cheaper.  As far as I know there has not been one improvement in dividing Kensington, the result of a very poor government.

  • It is obvious from my personal experience that residents would receive a better level of service from the City of Melbourne.

  • Moonee Valley doesn't get the job done.  It is an absolute nightmare.

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