Hall set for return to community

By Tania Martin
KALORAMA’S hall could soon be back in business after a local council agreed to foot the bill for upgrades.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges last Tuesday agreed to pay for $52,000 worth of maintenance for the outside of the hall.
The cash will mean the exterior can be fixed and residents can start using it again.
For the past three years, the hall in Farndons Road has been under a cloud of uncertainty with council releasing plans to sell.
In September 2005, The Mail reported that residents were furious over the proposed sell-off and have been fighting it ever since.
In January the hall committee was given a reprieve when council put the sale on holdto give the committee a chance to get it up and running again.
However, the cost of the maintenance of the hall was left up to the committee.
Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff last Tuesday called for this to be overturned.
He said other hall committees did not have to undertake the outside maintenance and that it was the council’s job.
“They have raised a lot of money already ($12,000) but they can’t get in the hall to do anything because we expect them to raise $52,000 to restore the whole thing,” Cr Cliff said.
He said the hall would be a hub for the community. But, Cr Cliff said, at the moment the hall was a ‘disgrace’.
Kalorama’s Jean Blencowe said the committee was over the moon with the decision.
She said the committee had also submitted a three-year business plan, which was waiting on council approval.
Once the plan is approved, the group can apply for a business permit and get started on renovating the interior.
Ms Blencowe said there were several groups hoping to use the hall by next year.