Court released for community bonding

By Melissa Meehan
SPRINGVALE’S old police station and courthouse future is looking bright.
A $30,000 Brumby Government grant will help a Springvale community group investigate whether an old police station and court house can be revitalised as a hub for multicultural groups.
Peter Batchelor, Minister for Community Development, said the feasibility study would be conducted by the Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau and was one of five projects to share in almost $160,000 in Victorian Community Support Grants from the Brumby Government.
“Local people need a local place to call their own and this study will determine whether the decommissioned Springvale police station and court house would be suitable to become a centre for multicultural community and support groups,” Mr Batchelor said.
Clayton MP Hong Lim said the Brumby Government was taking action to make communities even more liveable.
“About 80 per cent of the Greater Dandenong population is from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds,” Mr Lim said.
“Many have escaped war and persecution in their homeland, and find themselves in a strange new country without the family and support needed to help them settle into their new surrounds.
“It is important there is a place where people from diverse backgrounds can build new social support networks.”