Yarra Ranges Council will sell off the former Belgrave Grammar School as ‘surplus’

A GROUP of Yarra Ranges councillors are accused of being money-hungry after voting to sell Belgrave’s oldest building.

Yarra Ranges Council offices in Lilydale. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

A GROUP of Yarra Ranges councillors are accused of being money-hungry after voting to sell Belgrave’s oldest building.

The former Belgrave Grammar School, built in 1925, will be put on the market, with the council asking for expressions of interest on the almost 100-year-old Burwood Highway property.

But the historical weatherboard, near the Cameo cinema, remains important to the area, Dandenong Ranges Historical Council president Susan Heywood-Downard said.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Should the council keep the building in community hands? Tell us below

The Belgrave Traders Association is also fighting to keep it in community hands.

But a plea from Cr Mike Clarke to put a stay on the sale for the meantime and work with the community to find a use for the building fell on deaf ears.

Cr Clarke said the building could be used by the traders association as a museum and information point for tourists.

“Give us a chance to make this work,” he said.

“The least we can do is try and restore some of the history, and boost Belgrave as a tourist destination not just known for Puffing Billy.”

But councillors Tony Stevenson, Jim Child, Richard Higgins, Terry Avery and Mayor Len Cox rejected the bid.

STATE GOVERNMENT CALLED ON TO PLAN FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT

MONTROSE INDUSTRIAL BLOCK ABOUT TO HIT MARKET

A GUN-RUNNER HAS BEEN JAILED AFTER SMUGGLING MACHINE GUNS

Cr Tony Stevenson said time had run out for the community to have its say and was best served by the new million-dollar Belgrave Hub.

He said the council had not received many submissions and the community should have made a case by now.

“What we have here is an item that is surplus,” Cr Stevenson said.

He said the former Japara Neighbourhood House in Montrose, sold last year, had been put to good use as cafe Mary Eats Cake, and hoped for similar outcome with this building.

Mrs Heywood-Downard said she was disappointed at the decision, which reflected a lack of care for the Belgrave.

She said many still did not know about the council’s intention to sell the building — despite Cr Stevenson claiming the process had been extensive.

“They’re here to serve the community and not to treat council as just a money making business,” she said.

“They don’t value the community or Belgrave.”

She said the former school house was the oldest building in the area and with a bit of work, could look as it once did.