UPDATE: READERS are divided over plans from a group of Point Cook residents, who want to secede from Australia and have their suburb become a nation in its own right.

The group already have their own flag and are calling for a referendum to be held on granting sovereign nation status to Point Cook so it is no longer ruled by the governments they say have “failed” them.

A petition has been started at change.org for Point Cook to become an independent country modelled on Monaco.

Point Cook has a population of 43,991 — about 6000 more than Monaco.

MELBOURNE SUBURBS THAT SHOULD GO IT ALONE

More than 280 people have signed the petition so far.

Point Cook Independence organiser Tony Hooper said residents were sick of being ignored by all levels of government.

“We feel that Point Cook is not getting a fair go. We are asking to be able to decide the future for our town,” the Royal Kingdom of Point Cook petition states.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Point Cook break away? Tell us below

Award-winning Le Petit Gateau chef Pierrick Boyer, who lived in Point Cook’s Sanctuary Lakes estate for five years, has thrown his support behind the group’s plight.

Boyer said he moved out of the area last year because of traffic congestion.

“It was taking too much time to get to the city,” Boyer said.

The French chef, who has visited Monaco, said the suburb was in dire need of government investment.

“When (the State Government) designed and planned Point Cook they didn’t do a proper job,” he said.

Boyer said the call for sovereignty was a smart way for residents to bring attention to the suburb’s issues but could not see it happening.

The group’s push for independence has drawn a mixed reaction from readers, with some saying residents are dreaming, while others agree the area has been ignored for too long — mostly because it has been a safe Labor seat for decades — and is in dire need of help.

Some highlight the range of issues a fledgling Point Cook nation will run into, such as paying for infrastructure including roads, emergency services, a justice system, utilities and defence.

Logistics, infrastructure, taxes

Natasha said the suburb must realise they would forego the benefits of being part of Australia, outlaying an example of what Port Cook residents would have to pay Australia for luxuries such as roads, fresh water, electricty, emergency services and defence.

Matthew said the suburb could break away from Australia once it as many yachts as Monaco plus a casino and grand prix racetrack.

“However until then they will just have to put up with incompetent and corrupt state and federal and governments like the rest of us,” Matthew said.

Make the seat a minority - safe Labor

Stephen said the entire western suburbs had been let down by politicians for decades.

“The Liberals know there are no votes there and Labor knows it can ignore the region as the locals blindly vote for them know matter what,” Stephen said.

“That, coupled with dodgy councils and shonky developers, has created the urban waste land it is.”

Michael said voters in the western suburbs need to open their eyes.

“There is more than one political party... then you would have no problems. Swinging seats of the East are gifted with goodies from all parties at every election and someone has to pay for that.... Point Cook residents and others from the western suburbs who vote Labor.”

Although Kevin agreed with Mr Hooper and his group.

“Point Cook has a point. The notorious state government has failed ALL of us miserably: Myki, North South pipeline, desal plant, East West Link debacle, no tolls lies, being sued for $560 million by Tattersalls, secret payments to Bernie Ecclestone, dodgy red light cameras. We have had enough of our taxes being thrown away by succession incompetent fools who would struggle to run a BBQ.”

What do you think? Join the conversation below.

Mr Hooper said the suburb had been poorly planned and lacked employment opportunities, access to roads and public transport, planning for secondary schools, a police presence, and planning for recreational facilities.

“We are asking the question ‘why should we allow you to govern us when you can ignore our needs and fail this community so significantly’?” Mr Hooper said.

The group has designed its own national flag.

Mr Hooper said the group would create its own taxation system, abolish payroll and land tax for businesses, and include a tax reduction for businesses that employed 10 or more people.

Other plans include requiring developers to provide some infrastructure for schools, and increasing police numbers in line with the number of houses under construction.

The Federal Government would not respond to the petition, instead directing questions to Lalor federal Labor MP Joanne Ryan.

Ms Ryan said all communities should be able to lobby for the facilities and infrastructure they needed.

However, becoming a sovereign nation was “probably not the most effective way to achieve this”.

Wyndham Council chief executive Kerry Thompson said she could not see how sovereign nation status would improve Point Cook.

“Point Cook residents consistently provide feedback that they enjoy a high quality of life and a great community,” she said.

“It is unclear how sovereign nation status will deliver more schools or police, or assist with advocacy in relation to Point Cook’s needs.”

Western metropolitan Labor MP Khalil Eideh said the State Government was committed to providing Victorians with the schools, transport and infrastructure they need.

“Questions about the sovereignty of areas within Australia are matters for the Commonwealth,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sportsbet has framed a market around Point Cook’s push for independence, offering $101 on the suburb becoming a sovereign nation by 2017.

If the push succeeds Mr Hooper is $5 favourite to take the reigns, with Geelong Mayor Darren Lyons and Pauline Hanson next best at $21.