Eltham War Memorial to remain prominent, Nillumbik Council say

THE Eltham War Memorial will remain a prominent precinct despite Nillumbik Council’s controversial plan to develop the old shire office site.

THE Eltham War Memorial will remain a prominent precinct despite Nillumbik Council’s controversial plan to develop the old shire office site.

A hotel, tourist information centre, art gallery, council and commercial office space were earmarked for the land, where the old Eltham Shire offices sat at 895 and 903-907 Main Rd, earlier this year.

The community hit back at the idea fearing the Eltham preschool, senior citizens hall, maternal and child health centre, war memorial and three 100-year-old shillinglaw trees could vanish.

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However, former Montmorency-Eltham RSL sub-branch president Bill McKenna said Mayor Peter Clarke promised the RSL they would be consulted and the memorial would remain in a prominent position. “The mayor has agreed the RSL will be involved in all facets when they select a developer, which probably won’t be until the new year,” Mr McKenna said.

“They (the council) will select three to four developers to come up with concepts and the RSL will be heavily involved looking into those concepts and various things that must be part of the war memorial. It’s not just the obelisk but history boards, the women’s memorial, the gates and pillars.”

Cr Clarke said developers would be measured on their financial capacity, staff, experience and efficiency.

“Council will consider the proposals in early 2019 to make a decision as to whether the project is possible ahead of determining the next steps including extensive community engagement,” he said.

More than 300 people gathered at the Eltham Senior Citizen’s Centre on Saturday to pass a no-confidence motion in council, put forward by Greg Johnson and supported by Andrew Lemon.

They urged the council to retain ownership and all existing buildings on the land, place sufficient planning controls plus make each proposal available to the public when they’re received.

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