By Hamish Heard
A FORMER Hobsons Bay mayor and a community activist are fighting to stop a council move to turn Altona Civic Reception Centre into an office building.
Hobsons Bay councillors last month voted to transform the centre, part of the Altona Theatre complex, into office space.
But a community petition initiated by former Hobsons Bay councillor Dick Murdoch and activist Geoff Mitchelmore is calling on council to scrap the plan.
“This is a community asset that ratepayers paid for many years ago and by taking it away it will leave Altona without a major meeting place,” Mr Mitchelmore said.
“We just want the council to review its decision and consult with the community before this is allowed to go ahead.”
Mr Mitchelmore slammed councillors who voted in favour of the plan.
“The funny thing is that every councillor who voted to have this vital community asset stripped away represents areas outside Altona,” he said.
“Does that mean that if there was a proposal to demolish Williamstown Town Hall the six councillors who don’t represent Williamstown ratepayers would vote in favour of that?”
The petition has earned the support of ward councillor and Hobsons Bay mayor Leigh Hardinge who voted against the plan.
But Cr Hardinge said he believed it was too late to force council to overturn its decision.
“All I can say is I’m disappointed with the loss of the reception centre and its just another community asset that’s been lost for the residents,” Cr Hardinge said.
“The council has resolved to do it so that’s it.”
He said he had lobbied other councillors and council officers to retain the facility for Altona residents.
“They’ve known my position right from the beginning,” he said.
