Tara Murray
The future of the Brimbank Bicycle Education centre has been secured.
After taking a hit during COVID-19 and being forced to close, the centre’s calls for help have been answered.
Brimbank council will look at a new lease for the volunteer-run centre and ensue grounds maintenance and collection of waste and recyclables is continued.
Council will also install a drinking tap, a side gate as an alternative access point, and plant additional trees at the site.
The council will also waive any planning and building permit fees required by the centre.
The centre’s Richard Carthew said it was a good result.
“It has secured the future of the centre to be run by volunteers,” he said.
“It means the maintenance will be looked after and the volunteers can look after the programs that we run.
“Them [council] picking up the rubbish and mowing the lawns is a lot cheaper than starting their own centre.“
Mr Carthew said if the council hadn’t stepped in the volunteers would have had to mow the lawns. He said it would be like asking teachers to mow the lawns at schools.
Mr Carthew said the centre was starting to see some good numbers of people return , with covid restrictions easing.
Councillor Bruce Lancashire, who raised the issue at the council’s recent meeting, said the Bicycle Education Centre provided more than just education programs for young people.
“They conduct road safety programs as an accredited centre… They conduct monthly riding programs for those who can ride, and those learning to ride, where they educate parents as well.
“They conduct weekly disability programs for adults to come and use bikes. They conduct after school disability programs. They employ local youths.“
He said much of the income the group has goes to upgrades at the centre.
“What is being asked for by the Brimbank Bicycle Education Centre is quite modest.
“We’re changing the council’s policy to reflect the true nature of this unique volunteer organisation.”
Cr Virginia Tachos said asking for help with maintenance of the centre wasn’t “unreasonable.”
Cr Trung Luu said while he supported the move, councillors should now hear requests from other community groups and sporting groups seeking support in the council chambers, to provide transparency.
