By Matthew Sims
Cardinia Council has approved a permit for a new Garfield North Community Centre multi-purpose hall, which would aim to support the area’s recovery and development following the 2019 Bunyip Complex bushfires.
At the council’s Town Planning Committee meeting on Monday 2 August, councillors passed a motion to grant a permit for the use of land at Allotment 12H in the Parish of Bunyip on Garfield North Road and vegetation removal, subject to 20 conditions.
The joint project would involve a $1 million commitment from the council and a $1.3 million investment from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions via the Growing Suburbs Fund.
The Cannibal Creek Pony Club, the Cannibal Creek Reserve committee of management, the Cannibal Creek Venturers, the Bunyip Bushfire Recovery committee and the West Gippsland Quarter Horse Association would be among the recreation groups set to use the new facilities.
The project would be a modular build situated within the 25 acres of Cannibal Creek Reserve, with the facilities including a 100 square metre hall for group gatherings and activities, a meeting room/office space capable of accommodating up to 10 people, a communal kitchen facility, five separated unisex toilets, 36 gravel unsealed carparking spaces and the removal of eight trees with four requiring planning permission.
Bunyip Ward councillor and deputy mayor Graeme Moore said the hall would act as a place of assembly and a location to plan the continuing recovery of the area following the 2019 bushfire event.
“This is such a beautiful building going to be in the Garfield North area to support the people affected in the 2019 Bunyip Complex bushfires,” he said.
“This building has been in the pipeline for many years prior.
“I think this will be a fantastic result for that community.”
Mr Moore said while he was disappointed with the objectors, he still respected their right to raise objections.
“I’m a bit upset by the whole thing, but they still have the opportunity to take it to VCAT if need be,” he said.
Central Ward councillor Collin Ross said he remembered when he had to attend the site of the Bunyip Complex bushfires as deputy mayor at the time, recalling how the soil was still smouldering as he drove through the area.
“It was like walking into a holocaust,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s nice to have something new to come out in these areas, particularly when they’re grieving.
“I just think this might be some way of doing some healing and helping them.”
Westernport Ward councillor Kaye Cameron said while she would vote in support the motion, she did not agree with the chosen location for the hall, due to submissions made by user groups.
“One of the submissions was a different location which would not have necessitated any removal of vegetation and would have been a better outcome for all of the user groups at the facility,” she said.
For more information on the project, visit creating.cardinia.vic.gov.au/garfield-north-community-centre
