THE Victorian Local Governance Association has slammed the State Government’s decision to dismiss Brimbank councillors, claiming the situation has robbed residents of an advocate.

Speaking at a public meeting in Sunshine last week, VLGA president Rose Iser condemned the government’s action, labelling the move an attack on democracy.

Cr Iser said her organisation had urged Local Government Minister Richard Wynne to reconsider his decision and reinstate councillors after a year but their pleas had been dismissed.

‘The minister flatly refused this suggestion,” Cr Iser said.

The Moonee Valley councillor said the VLGA was alarmed by the situation in Brimbank and feared residents would be left without a voice.

“There is no denying there were problems in Brimbank,” Cr Iser said.

“The concerning thing is that the whole council has been sacked for three years.”

But residents at the meeting challenged the VLGA view, saying the dismissal of councillors had been a win for the community.

Sunshine resident Gary Collins claimed the VLGA had not been supportive of residents who had endured years of heartache at the hands of misbehaving councillors.

“Where have you been for the last five years?” Mr Collins asked Cr Iser.

“We are residents who have had to fight every day of the week for things other communities take for granted.