Hall open to offers

By Sarah Schwager
NOBLE Park’s Edinburgh Hall is up for grabs as the City of Greater Dandenong Council seeks an organisation to manage the building.
Council’s pilot project means it cannot be certain who will manage the hall, but the emphasis is on a community group with most of its members in Greater Dandenong.
The organisation will be expected to manage the advertising, booking, use, maintenance and general management of the hall, making it available to all members of the community.
But the tender process could see either a community, service group or a business take over the running of the hall, depending on who applies and how successful they are for the criteria.
Council’s manager of property and environment Lynette While said she hoped community groups would be encouraged to apply despite having to complete a tender document, which she said was designed to be as simple as possible to complete.
Tenders for the hall, on the corner of Edinburgh Road and Dowling Avenue in Noble Park, close on Thursday 22 December.
Ms While said while there had been some inquiries, they would not be certain who was interested until they opened the tender box.
Assessment criteria include the percentage of members that live in Greater Dandenong, the group’s history and experience running a community facility and what they hope to offer the community.
“Community groups who utilise Edinburgh Hall play an important role in providing a wide range of services and activities to local residents,” Ms While said.
“The range of services provided by groups could include advocacy, social support, networking, community action, health and well being, festivals, program delivery and individual use by residents.”
Ms While said council was looking for an organisation that would increase the hall’s patronage as well as ensuring equal access to all community groups.