By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
GREATER Dandenong Council claims its “preferred position” of demolishing Dandenong’s former library to make way for a car park will save the council nearly $5 million over the next 10 years.
Tonight, (Monday) councillors will vote on the ‘position’ which would create room for an al fresco area, shaded play area for children and a festivals space at the nearby Dandenong Market.
The council report stated that the estimated $1.6 million market expansion project would net an annual return of $400,000 rental income from up to 12 new food outlets.
It stated that the library building would require “significant works”, estimated at $1.1 million, to have it refurbished and refitted for community use.
The new-look building would cost about $209,000 a year to maintain.
By those figures, the library’s retention would cost the council $3.19 million over the next 10 years while its demolition to make way for the Dandenong Market expansion would earn $1.76 million.
Dandenong Community Association has petitioned for the library’s retention, which has also been backed by councillor Matthew Kirwan.
Cr Kirwan said the library could provide a home for Dandenong Neighbourhood House and help relieve Dandenong’s lagging community infrastructure.
“(It) would be able to provide more space to have more programs in one place and also have a higher profile location and more parking which would help them serve the community even better.”
Also under the report, the council’s former Clow Street offices are given a 10-year shelf life but could be a temporary refuge for Dandenong’s Maternal and Child Health service and toy library.
It could also provide meeting rooms for Dandenong Neighbourhood House.
The move would have an upfront $325,000 cost for refitting part of the offices and demolishing the maternal and child health and toy library buildings at the corner of Stuart and Clow streets.
The council will tonight vote on offering a commercial lease on 30 per cent of the offices to Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre at $118,000 a year plus utility costs.
The council’s plan for the library building will be open for community comment and submission, the report stated.
