Opinions
Laharum Hall Relocation - Case Against
Opinion piece by David Thompson
I read with concern in the latest North West Grampians Newsletter information about relocation of the Laharum Public Hall to the Recreation Reserve area. The presumption that this community facility should be relocated along with the school to a new location ignores proper process and balanced consideration of the issues.
While there has been much discussion and effort put into the proposal to create a new community precinct around the Recreation Reserve, this has been based on the advantages without community consideration of the disadvantages.
Heritage and continuity are important aspects of community identity and sustainability. Valuing of the past is a foundation of building a future. Decisions that are made without careful consideration of the efforts and aspirations of those from whom we inherit the present is disrespectful and superior. I think the present location of the hall has heritage and environmental values that will be lost on relocation.
There are advantages in consolidation of community facilities on one site but the disadvantages should not be ignored. Different precincts provide for diversity of ambience and opportunities.
Placing all our community facilities in one basket also produces vulnerabilities in that threats from fire, vandalism, etc. impacts on all at the same time.
Dominant activities diminish the separateness of other functions. By relocating to a place which has a dominant sports focus risks emphasis on the site against the interests of other activities. Times, availability, patron numbers, compatibility of activities may be in conflict.
The juxtaposition of licenced premises with other community facilities is increasingly regarded as problematic. To place the school and meeting facilities next to the licenced club will introduce issues that are currently avoided.
Access to the site without the current buffer of the wide road reserve will not provide the safety and parking options of the present. Given the 100kmph speed zone on the road there will be a higher traffic hazard on relocation.
There are practical aspects of removal of the hall; cost, damage, site rehabilitation, and closure of the hall for the period of relocation that are avoided by retaining it on its current site.
As the hall services the whole region moving it further north takes it further away from many of its users albeit only a kilometre. The sense of it being common ground for the whole community will be reduced by relocation.
There has been no appropriate community process to decide support for the relocation. The meeting that decided the hall should be moved to the Recreation Reserve was called to consider the school's relocation, there was no mention in advertising the public meeting that there would be consideration of the moving of the hall. Indeed an earlier community meeting had voted against the relocation of the hall. Many community members without connection to the school decided to leave consideration of the school relocation to those directly effected and were flabbergasted when they learnt that a motion included the relocation of the hall.
A stay should be placed on removal of the hall until the following conditions are met:-
- The relocation of the school is achieved.
- A satisfactory piece of land is available for the hall.
- Full funding of the cost of relocation is secure.
- Horsham Rural City Council agrees to the relocation and ongoing support.
- A properly constituted community meeting supports the relocation.
I invite others' opinion on this community issue for publication and community advice.
David Thompson