Maroondah Council to knock down community buildings for precinct, but won’t say how many face the wreaking ball
Maroondah Council won’t give specifics on how much it wants to transform the heart of Croydon, with the deadline for the public to have its say fast approaching.
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Up to 10 ageing buildings could be demolished to make way for Maroondah Council’s Croydon Community Precinct.
But the council won’t say exactly how many buildings it wants to knock down or how many it wants to sell off for development.
The council did not directly answer more than 10 questions from Maroondah Leader about the precinct’s draft masterplan, which closes for consultation on Sunday.
It responded with a lengthy statement from Mayor Mike Symon, which did not have specifics on the number of buildings to be demolished, the precinct’s projected total cost and size, or how many years it will take to build.
The council did not say when the draft masterplan, which was started more than 18 months ago, was approved by councillors for public consultation or when it was discussed at a council meeting.
It also didn’t address the future of the Croydon RSL sub-branch, the heritage-listed EVs youth centre and the Croydon Memorial Pool, or why it wants to move the Croydon Bowls Club for “development opportunities”.
Cr Symon said the draft plan proposed “consolidation and integration” of buildings and facilities in and near Croydon’s Civic Square into three multipurpose hubs “in stages, over a number of years”.
He said the first hub was proposed to house a new Croydon Library and council service centre, along with “multi-use space” for precinct users and other community groups.
Cr Symon said the third hub, near a relocated Croydon Bowls Club, was also proposed to have space for community groups alongside sports clubs.
User groups including Croydon Citizen Bands and Meals On Wheels have previously shared concerns with Maroondah Leader about a lack of consultation from the council or information on where they will be placed.
The council’s plans also suggest it wants to move the Croydon RSL sub-branch to the precinct’s second proposed hub, which Cr Symon said was earmarked for an “integrated family and children’s centre” with maternal and child health services and a kindergarten.
Sub-branch president John Hexter said while it didn’t have an issue with moving its meeting rooms and memorial, it wanted its own building.
“RSLs in my mind have always stood alone,” Mr Hexter said.
“They belong to the people of Croydon, they don’t belong to a hub.
“I know we have to move eventually, but when and how, we’re not sure,” he said.
MORE: ENVIRONMENTALISTS’ FEARS OVER PRECINCT PLANS
RINGWOOD RSL’S CHEEKY CRABS BILLBOARD
SCAFFOLDING CRASHES INTO CROYDON CHILDCARE CENTRE
The council opened public consultation for the draft masterplan at the Maroondah Festival on November 10, showing off a 3D model and releasing a “fly-through” video.
It followed consultation with precinct user groups and a community survey in October.
The consultation period was set to close on December 19, but the council extended the deadline for the draft masterplan and its contentious Maroondah-wide golf review by five weeks.
Details: yoursay.maroondah.vic.gov.au