Seniors fight plan to link buildings

Alex de Vos
Torquay Senior Citizens Centre is fighting a proposed merger of its building with Spring Creek Community House.
The centre has gathered more than 200 signatures on a petition against Surf Coast Shire draft plans to remove some of the centre’s facilities and join it to the neighbouring community house.
Torquay Senior Citizens Centre secretary Elizabeth Wapshott said members were “outraged” the shire had drawn up plans without consultation.
“We were presented with a layout showing the joining of the two buildings,” she said.
“We were surprised and alarmed – the plan showed one entrance only to both buildings and our kitchen and supper room had been demolished.
“That area is used every day during the week for meetings, cards, serving meals and morning and afternoon teas.
“Where was the consultation?”
Mrs Wapshott produced a plan from the shire showing a new entry to the senior citizens centre through the community house and along a ramp linking the buildings.
Mrs Wapshott said the centre also feared losing its toilets under the plan.
She believed the senior citizens and community house could not share facilities “effectively”.
“We both have different needs,” she said.
“Some of our members use walking frames and they’re not going to be able to easily access the kitchen if it’s on the other side of the building.”
Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman announced earlier this year that Federal Government would provide $450,000 over two years for extensions to the community house and $400,000 to refurbish the senior citizens centre.
Mrs Wapshott said the seniors wanted to spend their funding separately.
“The senior citizens centre is well-planned for our needs and works very well for our members,” Mrs Wapshott said.
“We don’t need any expensive structural renovations. An update to our kitchen and office and some storage space would be sufficient.”
Torquay councillor Ron Humphrey was “bitterly disappointed” the shire failed to consult the seniors before drawing up the draft plans.
“Our decisions are supposed to be based on what the community needs,” he said.
“I’ll take the petition to the next council meeting and put it on record for the next council that seniors want to remain separate.”
However, Surf Coast Shire sustainable communities director Dennis Barker denied the senior citizens centre was not consulted.
“Council officers and councillors have met both organisations together and separately and have provided several iterations of draft concept plans,” Mr Barker said.
“No decisions have been made and the matter has not been to council.”