Kinder future in the balance

By Melissa Meehan
COCKATOO residents will come together to discuss the demolition of a community landmark that saved many lives on Ash Wednesday.
Cockatoo Township Committee president Owen Deppler said the McBride Kindergarten could be demolished within weeks, if not days and has called a community meeting to enable residents discuss a council proposal.
Cardinia Shire Council has come up with a proposal to demolish the old kinder building and what it intends to do with the former Bailey Road takeaway site.
“My concern is that the council is spending a lot more money fixing up the takeaway shop for use as a community link than they would fixing up the kinder or replacing it all together,” Mr Deppler said.
“It (the takeaway shop) is further from the centre of town, off the main road and just a worse place than the kinder would be.”
The meeting will be held at St Luke’s Church in Cockatoo at 7.30pm on Thursday.
The Cardinia Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA) have thrown their support behind the township group – labeling the council’s decision to demolish the community built kindergarten as a “disgrace”.
President Gloria O’Connor said not only was the kinder used as a life-saving fire refuge during Ash Wednesday, and a drop-in refuge for 3000 plus residents in the aftermath – but also it held many fond memories of good times spent there too.
“I am disgusted at the way the council has treated the cockatoo community concerning the issue,” Ms O’Connor said.
“We (CRRA) are calling on the council to halt the plans to demolish the building while they review their decision and consider alternative ways of retaining the building.”
She said the historical significance and the link to Ash Wednesday should not be ignored.
Cardinia Shire Council spokesperson Andrea Bortollin said the demolition of the kinder will involve the removal of all materials from the site.
The tree planted by the late Princess Diana following the Ash Wednesday bushfires will remain.
“Council attended a Cockatoo township committee meeting earlier this year to inform residents of its decision,” she said.
“Since the announcement council has been meeting with the committee and community members regularly to ensure everyone has an understanding of the decision and reasons behind its process.
“The council will continue to work with all involved parties to make certain the best outcome for everyone is achieved.”
She said for a two-month period, the council would welcome all members of the community to submit their ideas for the open space project.
“All proposals will be taken on board as part of Council’s community engagement process,” she said.
Community members can submit their ideas to council via email mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au or Cockatoo township committee tcadmin@netspace.net.au.
The council couldn’t provide a demolition date at the time of going to print.