By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
OCEAN Grove remains divided over a $1 million performance space in its community park despite council voting to develop the facility without owning the land.
Council this week agreed to go ahead with the performance space after last month abandoning an associated transfer of park ownership.
Cr Jan Farrell said council’s $200,000 for Ocean Grove Park Incorporated to develop the facility was safe.
A lack of “watertight legal protection” and community opposition to the land transfer prevented council going ahead with the acquisition, she said.
Cr Farrell was pleased the project could now proceed, with all funding and a planning permit in place.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating the new performance space with Carols by Candlelight in Ocean Grove in December.”
But Ocean Grove’s Christine Brooks said many residents opposed the performance space.
“As a community we’ll raise concerns about this. People are passionate about their park and it means even more to them now.
“It’s a great injustice and people won’t take it lying down. It’s outrageous that they describe it as a popular decision.”
Former mayoral candidate Stephanie Asher said public opinion on the performance space was “definitely divided”.
“Some are strongly opposed and some strongly in favour,” she said.
Ms Asher said the community would try to resolve the issue at another public meeting on 4 May.
