Future of Flemington Community Hub unclear after funding slashed in half

A Melbourne council spending $52 million on a new aquatic centre has voted to cut funding to rebuild a “sinking” community house used by some of the city’s neediest people. But it’s sparked a war between councillors.

An artist's impression of the new East Keilor Leisure Centre that will cost the council $52 million.

The future of a community hub for some of Melbourne’s most disadvantaged people is unclear after councillors slashed funding for the project.

Councillor Nicole Marshall is considering launching a petition to remove Flemington, Travancore, and Ascot Vale from Moonee Valley after funding for the Flemington Community Hub was slashed in half.

Tempers flared at Tuesday night’s council meeting after councillor Samantha Byrne passed a motion to cut funding for a new Flemington Community Hub from $42.5 million to just $20 million, in the council’s long-term capital works plans.

Councillor Samantha Byrne successfully passed a motion to cut funding for the new Flemington Community Hub.

The council had allocated $40 million for the project in its capital works plan and was seeking $20 million in state or federal funding.

The $40 million would cover the cost of the community hub, including a community sports pavilion, indoor highball courts and a cafe with kitchen garden.

Another $25 million will cover upgraded pedestrian and cycle paths, play spaces and picnic areas, outdoor sports infrastructure and wetlands and water features connected to Moonee Ponds Creek. The additional $25 million is allocated in the long term capital works plan for 2031.

It is unclear how the hub will be built with $20 million.

What the new hub could look like.

Cr Byrne said she did not support the initial cost of the hub because she could not see how the council would pay for it.

Acting planning and development director Jessie Keating said the full amount was needed to rebuild the current community centre that was “sinking”.

“The building is on its last legs, literally,” Ms Keating said.

“You can’t sand the floors anymore because we’re worried about falling through. People are in dire need of this facility.”

Councillors Jim Cusack and Cam Nation shot down Cr Byrne’s the idea, accusing her of prioritising the wealthier people of Keilor East over the “most disadvantaged members” of Moonee Valley.

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“This is an attack on the wellbeing of people, and to say that the money can come later is a joke,” Cr Cusack said.

Cr Nation said the community hub would deliver a place for at least 2000 people living in the Flemington housing estate a chance to learn art, music and “play with friends”.

“Wow, Cr Byrne, just wow,” he said.

“This was going to give the most disadvantaged members of our community, if not Melbourne, an opportunity to do more than live in their small little flat.”

An artist's impression of the new East Keilor Leisure Centre foyer.

Cr Nation criticised councillors for cutting funding for the people of Flemington when more than $52 million was being poured into the East Keilor Leisure Centre.

Argument over the fate of the hub became so heated, councillor Nicole Marshall is considering starting a petition to remove the Myrnong ward from Moonee Valley. Myrnong includes Ascot Vale, Flemington, Travancore, most of Moonee Ponds and part of Essendon.

“Given the situation where Myrnong residents are not being given their fair share, you have to start questioning whether they would be better off out of Moonee Valley,” Cr Marshall said.

Cr Byrne’s alternative motion to cut funding to the hub was not supported by council officers but was carried on Tuesday night with councillors Byrne, Surace, Lawrence, Gauci Maurici, Sharpe, and Sipek voting for the cut, and councillors Marshall, Cusack, and Nation voting against.