By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
SECURITY fears mean the public car park under the multi-million dollar civic centre may never re-open.
The 40-space car park has been closed to the public since 27 October while a security audit was conducted.
Chief executive John Bennie said the council was briefed on the review’s findings “with a range of proposals to improve security in the precinct” last month.
“Council has not yet made a decision about the future of the civic centre car park, however it remains closed to the public pending further advice.”
At a council meeting last Monday, Mr Bennie said the car park “may never be re-opened“.
Councillor Matthew Kirwan said permanently closing the car park to the public “would send a message that we are fearful of visitors to the civic centre”.
He said a “risk management” approach, rather than a “risk aversion” one should be adopted.
“We should implement the recommendations of the security audit when it is complete but do whatever we can to keep the car park open if possible.
“We made a promise to Greater Dandenong residents that we would build a civic centre that would have parking available for residents visiting the library, the customer service centre and the rest of the building – a promise we should keep unless there is a very good reason not to.”
He said “a kneejerk reaction to lock down the whole building” would particularly disadvantage aged and disabled visitors.
Councillor Peter Brown said the car park couldn’t be opened due to several “weaknesses” on the site, which allow unlawful access to the building and to “certain services”.
“Because of the identified security problems even before the (recent) violence, we wouldn’t feel safe there now.”
A report on the audit will be presented to the council at the end of March.
– CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
