By DANIELLE GALVIN
THE old Emerald police station is receiving the attention of Cardinia Shire councillors. A report into the potential uses of the site and the need for a community hub in the hills town was tabled at a recent council meeting.
Councillor Leticia Wilmot moved the motion and reminded councillors that it was the first stage of the investigation and that there was no need to discuss councillors’ personal opinions as to whether the council should purchase the building.
“This report provides some information that forms part of what needs to be considered,” she said.
“There is also a potential for a community hub which was originally planned in a staged approach near the library at the Worrell Reserve site.
“We don’t need to make a decision tonight,” she said.
The council has been approached by community groups including radio station 3MDR. Cr Wilmot said 3MDR’s facility was “horrible” and that the volunteers had outgrown it.
“They need to move – but is this building the right place for them?”
Cr Lempriere questioned whether the site was the right space and the right building for council to purchase if it is offered by the State Government.
“The fact that we are looking at putting in a community facility elsewhere is very important – we are looking at putting it elsewhere and not at the police station,” Cr Lempriere said.
“It’s not that I am against this facility, it’s not that I don’t want the people of Emerald to have something up there that’s a community facility.
“What I question, and I question very strongly, is this particular building,” she said.
