The Jarrahdale Community Collective had a very productive meeting on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, with the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire CEO, Deputy CEO, SJ Shire Infrastructure Director, SJ Shire Manager of Community Activation and SJ Shire Facilities Manager.
The meeting covered unfinished business with the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale and the JCC, including the lease for the Bruno Gianatti Hall and the Outdoor Hub project. The meeting was successful, with both parties agreeing on the most beneficial solutions, summarised below.
Bruno Gianatti Lease & Community Fit
Conceived initially two years ago, the JCC and the SJ Shire worked on a lease for the front office space (JCC office) and the hall. While there were no problems with the fees waived for JCC to use the office space, there was a conflict waiving fees for the JCC’s Community Fit program.
In the meeting, the JCC identified the need for the program as it provides more mental health and social welfare than fitness. We conveyed that neither party involved in the program (JCC and instructors) profit from the classes. After discussion, Shire has supported the JCC’s request to waive hall usage fees of 250-300 hours per year and include the Community Fit program without charge. Along with unlimited use of the JCC office the agreed hours will cover all programs that use the hall including Community Fit.
The lease agreement (currently in a trial stage) will go to the Council in June. The JCC committee hopes to present a deputation (15 minutes during the meeting where the JCC can explain our proposal and discuss with councillors) to explain the proposed fee waiver in the June council ordinary meeting.
The lease agreement is not final until passed at the next council meeting.The JCC committee will update our members and community once we know the result of the Council meeting.
Outdoor Hub Project
The Outdoor Hub Project has also been in the works for two years. When the JCC formed, the committee conducted a community survey to find out what the community wanted. At the top of the list was toilet and water facilities installed at the Forest Green Reserve. The JCC exhausted all ways to install the facilities, with the Shire expressing there wouldn’t be an option for the facilities at the time. The JCC then focused on the resources the town already had and concluded that the Bruno Gianatti Hall had the appropriate facilities to host events and services; however, it had a very tired and unsafe playground. With thorough community consultation, the JCC hired a landscaping architect to design an inclusive community space and garden.
The JCC has secured $80,000 in funding for the project (estimated cost of $150,000) and is waiting for decisions of a Federal Government grant of $20,000 and SJ Shire Infrastructure Fund of $50,000.
During our meeting, the Manager of Community Activation explained how the Council has agreed to put forth the JCC Outdoor Hub project and another community-driven project in the Darling Downs for consultation through Have Your Say SJ.
We are asking all members and local rate payers to take the survey and support our project.
https://www.yoursaysj.sjshire.wa.gov.au/infrastructurefundapplicants
The Outdoor Hub project is not final until passed at the next council meeting. If we advance, the JCC will be working with the Shire’s Infrastructure Director and architects to develop the plans for the Outdoor Hub Project.