by Cam Lucadou-Wells
Keysborough Ward candidate Peter Brown says Greater Dandenong Council should back-flip on its refusal to buy a 147-year-old church at 176 Chapel Road.
The former Wesleyan Methodist church built in 1877 was offered to the council for an alleged $2 million by owner Uniting Church of Australia.
But in late May, despite a four-year community campaign to save the chapel, Greater Dandenong opted out of buying the site.
Its decision was made in closed-council. But there were rumoured concerns about the council bearing extra costs, such as renovating the building that had fallen into disrepair and been trashed by vandals.
A former Greater Dandenong mayor, Brown says the asking price – for a 4062-square metre block – was “peanuts”.
He says the council could “buy the lot” and renovate the building, using its “substantial” open space reserves fund.
It would serve as valuable open-space in the rapidly developed suburb, he argues.
The council could also work together with the Sunshine-based Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, which had expressed an interest to purchase at a lower price.
Other council candidates in Keysborough and Keysborough South gave strong or in-principle support to revisiting the council’s decision, if elected.
ALP-member Sinan Akkurt (Keysborough) and non-affiliated Geraldine Gonsalvez (Keysborough South) pledged to support the purchase of the church site.
Gonsalvez said it was important to preserve heritage. The issue had “gone around in circles” during four years of negotiations between Greater Dandenong and Uniting Church.
“It’s a simple thing – if we’re to save it, what do we need to do?
“You can’t put off things because of money. Money can be found from different sources – the federal and state governments and National Trust.”
Melinda Yim (Keysborough) said the council should revisit the matter.
“If it can’t be restored for a religious purpose, it should be for community use, an aged care service or community service. I would prefer it to be in the community rather than for private use.”
Labor member Hermara In (Keysborough) said he’d support the idea in-principle, provided the council could afford it.
Daniel Dang (Keysborough), also an ALP member, said it would be expensive. “I think the council could work together with the buyer in fixing it if it’s possible.”
ALP-member Alexandra Bryant (Keysborough South) said it should be considered. “We want to look after our history as best we can … it’s something we should revisit especially if residents want it.”
Labor-affiliated Sasha Jankovich (Keysborough South) was “happy to have a look at it”. He’d make an “informed judgement” based on the costs involved, he said.
The church went onto the private market last month, with expressions of interest closing on 10 October.
The site is being marketed as suitable for town homes, childcare, a place of assembly, aged care/nursing home, education and medical, subject to council approval.
The church is protected by a local heritage overlay.
