Council assets pledge

By Nathan Johnston
THE City of Greater Dandenong has received a petition containing 427 signatures of residents opposed to the sale of council assets in Springvale.
The recently released Springvale Structure Plan included an idea to sell off the library and council buildings on Springvale Road.
Under the concept, a new library would be built closer to the shopping centre while a new housing development would be built at the existing library site.
But the plans have prompted an angry backlash from residents and some councillors.
The council has since committed to retaining the library and town hall indefinitely.
That commitment was strengthened at Monday night’s council meeting, during which council recommended that more than $2 million be allocated for upgrades to both the City Hall and the library as part of the 2006/07 budget.
Cr Naim Melhem said the decision was designed to highlight to the next council the importance of the works, and the two buildings to the community.
“This council is committed to having this money available for the works on the town hall and library, and we need to recommend to the next council that these works take place,” Cr Melhem said.
The council is spending $100,000 on the upgrades to the library this financial year and $250,000 on the hall.
If the new council follows through with Monday night’s recommendations, in 2006/07 it will spend more than one million dollars at the library on furniture upgrades, a new air conditioning system, a new roof and toilet facilities and improvements to the garden and surrounds.
It will spend a comparatively similar amount at the hall on a new air conditioning system, a new sound system, toilet refurbishment, a roof replacement and upgrades to the balcony seating.