By Jade Lawton
THE Pakenham Hall Committee has had no representation in project advisory committee meetings for the past month because newly-elected president Lynette Squires had not been formally ratified by council.
The advisory committee has representatives from the council, U3A and the hall committee, and aims to ensure the $7.1 million hall and library redevelopment is suitable for the various community groups that use it.
Lynette Squires, who was elected president of the committee at the 15 July annual general meeting, was formally appointed to the position at Monday night’s council meeting – more than a month after she replaced long-term president Ron Carroll.
Secretary Graham Treloar was previously the hall committee’s representative on the Pakenham Hall and Library Project advisory committee, but Mrs Squires chose to take his place as representative.
Members of the Pakenham Hall Committee, and all special committees, must be approved by council under Section 86 of the Local Government Act.
Mrs Squires said she was ‘extremely concerned’ about missing the meetings.
“Until 17 August I did not have any say whatsoever in what decision is being made. I had to wait until council stamped my position as new president, and until then I could not attend meetings or do anything,” she said.
Work on the complex, which is being financed with $2.5 million in Federal Government grants, $1 million in state grants and $3.6 million from Cardinia Shire Council, is expected to start by the end of September.
Mrs Squires said she had presented a list of her concerns to Cardinia Shire CEO, Garry McQuillan.
“I just don’t think the people are being heard,” she said.
President of the Pakenham Gardening Club, Meryl Waterhouse, said the club used the hall’s supper room for three meetings a year.
Mrs Waterhouse said about 100 members fit comfortably into the supper room, but the club would need more space if membership increased.
“I don’t feel it should be any smaller – in this day and age, why would you build something smaller?
But Mayor Bill Pearson said increasing the size of the hall would also increase rental fees.
“It won’t be smaller but it won’t be much bigger. We haven’t got the final drawings yet, but we should have them within weeks,” Cr Pearson said.
“At the moment the hall will take 300-350 people tops. An increase will give you room for another 150 people but operating costs go up proportionately. Instead of being the people’s hall, it would be a lot dearer to rent.”
Cr Collin Ross, who is also on the project advisory committee, said the hall was booked for 460 events every year and was used 50 of the 52 Saturday nights last year.
“It is at its full potential but if expenses went up, some of the smaller groups may not be able to use it anymore,” he said.
A Cardinia Shire Council spokeswoman said the final dimensions of the new hall would be determined following discussions with user groups over the next couple of weeks.
“We wouldn’t mind paying a little bit more. The hall is so cheap these days,” Mrs Waterhouse said.
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