Seniors likely to win

Alex de Vos
Torquay Senior Citizens Centre could win its fight against plans for a building merger with Spring Creek Community House, according to Surf Coast Shire.
Shire sustainable communities director Dennis Barker said in an emailed statement to the Independent this week that a merger was now unlikely.
“From the discussions to date it looks likely that there will continue to be two separate buildings, side by side,” Mr Barker said.
The statement followed a story in last week’s Independent revealing the senior citizens centre had gathered more than 200 signatures on a petition against the merger.
Centre secretary Elizabeth Wapshott said members were alarmed after the shire presented a plan linking the buildings with a ramp and removing the senior citizens’ kitchen.
She accused the shire of failing to consult the centre before producing the plan two months ago.
Mr Barker denied the shire had failed to consult the senior citizens.
But Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman said the shire had revealed the plan to join the buildings when it applied a year ago for federal funding to refurbish the centre and community house.
“I don’t think the plans actually specified precisely how the money was going to be spent but one of the options…was to maximise the impact of the funding by sharing a number of the facilities,” Mr Cheeseman said.
The Government later announced $450,000 over two years for extensions to the community house and $400,000 to refurbish the senior citizens centre.
Spring Creek Community House’s Laura Connor threw her weight behind the senior citizens push to remain autonomous but slammed the petition.
“We want our own identity and I think we need to have our separate spaces and separate kitchens,” Ms Connor said.
“The last thing I want to do is take over the senior citizens.”
Ms Connor accused a councillor’s wife of helping to orchestrate the petition.
“People taking around the petition aren’t even senior citizens,” she said.
“There’s no need for a petition. I feel we are very much listened to.”
Cr Ron Humphrey confirmed his wife was “one of the people” circulating the petition.
“Helen is a member of two community groups and was one of the people taking around the petition but she didn’t force anyone to sign – that’s not her style,” Cr Humphrey said.
“No one is getting round with broken arms.”