By BRIDGET SCOTT
THE vice-president of Emerald’s radio station is outraged over a Cardinia Shire Council decision which means they will not be able to purchase the old Emerald Police Station.
Dale Blair from 3MDR said the decision was “short-sighted” and was disappointed the council passed up this opportunity.
At a council meeting last Monday, 18 August a recommendation was passed which meant council would not purchase the old Emerald Police Station for a community hub in the town.
This decision comes after a petition with more than 2000 signatures was handed over to the council to support the use of the old station as a new hub.
Council said they would not purchase the old station based on a number of factors, claiming it was too expensive.
Ranges Ward Councillor Brett Owen said the “Emerald community deserved a first rate facility.”
He added that it was not the ideal building for the community’s intended use.
“It is, in my opinion not big enough and disability access is not sufficient,” he said.
Councillors also agreed that if the radio station moved into this new location, there would not be enough room left for other community groups.
Mr Blair hit back at these claims, saying there would have been plenty of space.
“Under the ideal plan, it would have been a good portion,” he said.
“We were open for our area to be scaled back or shifted.”
As a compromise, Cr Owen and Cr Leticia Wilmot said the council would look at creating a community hub near the library in town, but Mr Blair said this was “pie in the sky.”
“It won’t ever happen,” he said.
“It’s already been 10-15 years from when council first proposed it.”
Councillors acknowledged the hard work from the Emerald community to promote this old station as a new hub, and said it had highlighted the need for a hub in the community.
“It will be at the forefront in coming months with budget discussion,” Cr Owen said.
Mr Blair said he expected that this idea would be off the table until 2019.
“This has supposedly brought it forward now,” he said.
The Emerald resident said the needs of the radio station and the community were short-term, and they would need a solution before this time.
“We would be hoping to have it resolved in some other way,” he said.
“Our needs are before that time.”
