Nillumbik Council advertisement for old Eltham Shire office slammed

AN ADVERTISEMENT to “revitalise” the old Eltham Shire office site has sent some residents into a tailspin, saying it hasn’t captured the essence of the site.

AN ADVERTISEMENT to “revitalise” the old Eltham Shire office site has sent some residents into a tailspin, saying it hasn’t captured the essence of the site.

Eltham preschool, senior citizens hall, maternal and child health centre, war memorial and three 100-year-old Shillinglaw trees were left off the advertisement, which has raised eyebrows of some who have questioned whether they are valued and will they remain.

Instead the notice says the site is surrounded by a plethora of retail, brimming with parks and running tracks at 895 and 903 — 907 Main Rd, Eltham.

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“The development will need to reflect Eltham’s unique sense of place … it would also need to provide public spaces that could support community uses, such as markets, concerts and outdoor cinema,” it states.

“While Council is not wedded to a particular type of development on the site; it does consider that a hotel, senior independent accommodation and/or commercial offices with some retail would meet its high level objectives for the site.”

The community reacts last week to Nillumbik Council's plan to sell the Eltham Shire office site. Picture: George Salpigtidis

The Eltham District Historical Society was “disappointed” the historical value of the Eltham War Memorial and the Shillinglaw trees weren’t disclosed.

“Our society is of the firm opinion that the original Eltham War Memorial complex of

buildings including the entrance gates should not be sold, nor demolished,” EDHS said in a statement.

“These (Shillinglaw) trees represent a navigational beacon between the past, present and future landscape and history of the district and are covered by a heritage overlay.”

Eltham state Labor MP Vicki Ward said women of Eltham and surrounding townships helped build the Eltham reschool, memorial hall, and senior citizens hall after World War II.

The Eltham District Historical Society is “disappointed” the historical value of the Eltham War Memorial and the Shillinglaw haven’t been disclosed.

She said it was a symbol of how they held their families together while husbands, brothers, fathers, fought in the war.

“I am frustrated at Nillumbik Council’s approach to selling this land. Council processes should start with the community, not with big developers,” Ms Ward said.

Nillumbik Council mayor Peter Clarke told Leader they were in “very early stages” of working with the private sector to consider options to revitalise the “run-down” site.

“As part of the redevelopment, council will construct a new kindergarten and maternal and child health centre alongside the Eltham Child Care Co-operative, with facilities for senior citizens incorporated in the development or adjoining vicinity,” Cr Clarke said.

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