THE City of Whittlesea has decided on the future of the Brookwood Community Centre, declaring that it will remain unchanged, while also stating its intent to continue helping the Doreen RSL find a permanent home after months of what was branded ‘unnecessary community divide’.
Significant community feedback was against a proposal to least a portion of the building to the Doreen RSL, while also supportive of their goal to find a permanent home.
A total of 418 submissions were received, with 314 opposing a proposal to lease part of the centre, with the majority of local residents who provided feedback opposing the plan.
This came after a $1.6 million funding grant from the Federal Government to help establish a base at Brookwood for the Doreen RSL last year.
By April, Council then considered balancing the RSL’s needs with the community and centre’s user groups, culminating in a four-week consultation process.
Community concerns commonly pointed to whether Brookwood was an appropriate venue for the RSL, the impact on groups and organisations, impact to neighbourhood amenity, traffic and parking requirements.
However, it was also emphatically stated that the Doreen RSL needed a permanent home, with community support for their cause to find a location.
The City of Whittlesea will now work with the Doreen RSL and the Department of Veterans Affairs to find a suitable home.
Mayor Councillor Lawrie Cox emphasised support to find the RSL a suitable home.
“I thank everyone who took part in the community consultation for providing us with the feedback we needed to make an informed decision,” he said.
“Council understands the important role the Doreen RSL plays in supporting veterans and the broader community, but it is clear the Brookwood Community Centre is not the right place for the sub-branch’s permanent home.
“Council is committed to supporting the Doreen RSL in its search for an appropriate venue and we will continue to assist with identifying potential sites, completing grant applications and partnering on community activities.”
As Council sifted through its decision-making process last Tuesday night, a lot of commentary focused on the RSL deserving a home that suited its needs, saying Brookwood was insufficient.
In moving the motion to take the officer recommendation, Cr Blair Colwell said as much.
“Without hesitation, I believe the permanent home for Doreen RSL is unquestionably in the best interest of our municipality. A community is the sum of its parts, and it flourishes when those most in need of connection, compassion and care are supported to heal and thrive,” he said.
“While consultation has opened my eyes to the importance of this work, it is also my view that locating Doreen RSL at the Brookwood Community Centre would ultimately be a disservice to the ambition and vision of this deserving organisation.
“I appreciate that this would be a disappointing message for members of the Doreen RSL. Too often and on more than one occasion, it has appeared that a solution was within reach, only for circumstances to change and the opportunity to disappear.
“I acknowledge the frustration and fatigue that inevitably comes with this experience, however, something this important deserves more than a compromise.
It deserves a solution that is enduring, sustainable and capable of fulfilling the aspirations of the organisation and the community it serves.”
Cr Alan Lenberg said there were concerns for community groups, while acknowledging the work the Doreen RSL does.
“I want to acknowledge the deep respect many of us feel for the RSL and the important work it does for veterans and their families,” he said.
“This is not about diminishing that contribution, it is about making a decision that is fair to the RSL, fair to existing community groups, and fair to the broader Whittlesea community.
“The proposal as it stands raises a number of serious concerns. Full use of the facility required by the RSL would displace community groups that are already using Brookwood. Those groups have built programs, connections and trust with local residents – pushing them out to make way for another user creates real disruption and hardship.
“There is also a clear community view. While there is overwhelming support for the RSL to have its own facility, around 85 per cent in favour, that support is not for the RSL to be located at Brookwood.”
Cr Jarrod Lappin was determined to be part of the process that found Doreen RSL its rightful home, abstaining from the vote.
“Attending the hearing of submissions session, it was clear to me that there was unnecessary community divide,” he said.
“It is my intention to be part of a council which delivers that permanent home and draws an end to a difficult saga.”
Having served in the Army, Cr Martin Taylor found himself in a significant predicament, but said the community had to be given its dues.
“As a recently retired Major in the Australian Army, who was deployed on several occasions, and a current veteran service member of the RSL, I understand first-hand the important role the RSL has in supporting serving members, veterans, their families, and I strongly support the work and objectives of the RSL,” he said.
“However, as a Councillor, for the City of Whittlesea, I must consider all relevant matters and make a decision that serves the broader community interest. Having done so, I support the motion.
“The decision is not a rejection of the Doreen RSL, or the valuable services they provide, it is a finding that Brookwood Community Centre is not the appropriate location for this proposed lease.
“Council received 418 verified responses, 314 opposed the proposal. That level of community concern must be given proper weight.”
Cr Aidan McLindon said it was ‘unfair’ on Council before deciding to abstain from voting.
“This puts me in a predicament as a former soldier and having a daughter that dances. You won’t win trying to keep them all happy,” he said.
“For us to be left with a hot potato, to try and keep-cute a vested interest in both sides is horribly unfair on the council. We’re left with the domestic politics and arguing about something that should’ve been funded properly, should not have been coupled in the first instance, and all of us have the will to have a standalone RSL.”
Seven Councillors voted in favour, while Crs Daniela Zinni, McLindon and Lappin abstained.
