We've been in the news again.  This time we got to comment on a meeting which the Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) were having in regard to the proposed Brimbank Civic Precinct. 

There is no doubt that councils timing couldn't be any worse.  I'm not sure why they decided to go ahead with the rate rise to help fund the Civic Precinct - at this time. 

As a resident of Brimbank I have been expecting a rate rise but didnt expect it to come whilst many are coming to terms with the impact of the "recession".

A Civil Precinct would be great.  Instead of having to go to Keilor and/or Sunshine for different things residents can go to one precinct for everything - a bit like DFO.

I'm not sure about you but in my experience when groups within a business are spread out over multiple locations it is very hard to get jobs done effectively.  Why? Well, communication.  Even with Email, Phones, Video Conferencing, Chat, Mash Ups, Wiki's and Twitter, technology does not bring "real" people closer. 

What wasn't discussed in the Brimbank Leader article was that I understand SunRRAs and Keilors views too.  If the offices merge then both Suburbs loose a great deal.  In fact the suburbs can loose a lot.


Scenario One: Keilor closes and the offices are merged into Sunshine... OR .. Sunshine closes and is merged into Keilor.  In this scenario one of the suburbs will 1. miss the revenue from those coming from outside, and 2. will not get the attention that they once had when council we "in their neighborhood".


Scenario Two: Both existing council offices move away from the existing suburbs and a new suburb is found.  This would obviously be bad for both suburbs.

I understand.  Both suburbs stand to loose a lot.


Errington Reserve

Why would council even go there?  I mean not literally go there, but just thinking of the idea is so wrong.  The community (as I understand it) was given the land... the community.  (If I have my facts wrong - please let me know).

There are clubs using the ground.  There aren't too many healthy grounds in Brimbank left for clubs.

I am in support of the StAlbans residents on this one.


Cairnlea is an option:

We already have land available, we are central to all Brimbank residents.

Would we want to see a Civic Precinct in Cairnlea? Of course.

Like the other suburbs Cairnlea would benefit as the other suburbs would i.e. increased revenue to Cairnlea businesses due to increased traffic, council would pay more attention to the suburb, etc etc.    

Do we think that we are the only option and the way to go.  Not at all.  What is the most cost effective option? What is the most accessible location?   What are the real business benefits for the idea?  What can the Civic Precinct offer that the current offices cannot?

What about the residents of Brimbank?

Do they care where the offices are? I wouldn't think so... although many already know that the offices are in Sunshine and Keilor - a move might be confusing.

Would they benefit from having the offices together?  Of course they would, let's not kid ourselves.  As a resident I would rather visit a one stop shop than have to travel around Brimbank to get a job done.  Resident requests "may" get processed faster.  Perhaps over time the rates might drop as a result of "streamlined" processes and cost savings - doubtful I know.


Conclusion:

I agree that council should think before they act sometimes.

Errington Reserve should be made a "no go zone".

Council has been talking alot about community consultation yet they are inconsistant.

Sunshine and Keilor have a lot to loose if council move out.  I would be upset too.  It would be like Melbourne loosing the Grand Prix to Sydney.

Cairnlea is an option, but it might not be the final option.

Council need to engage the key community representatives that exist in most parts of Brimbank.  Active groups in Sunshine, Keilor, Delahey, StAlbans and Cairnlea (sorry if I missed someone) would be a great place for council to start.  Why not get the leaders of these groups together for initial discussions?

I believe that too many cooks can spoil a broth.  Instead of having a cast of a thousand attending a meeting (where in fact only a few key outspoken people have their say anyway) I think that key stakeholders from the areas should have a meeting with council to discuss the issue.  Perhaps 2 representatives from each group can go along - without pitch forks.