Just one of Federation Council’s nine councillors, Gail Law, voted against an executive officer’s recommendation that the building, once used as a school and relocated to Milthorpe Street for the RSL, be demolished, subject to verification of title.
At the suggestion of Cr Paul Miegel, however, there will be some formal recognition of the building’s history. A small monument and plaque to commemorate the site as the original home of the Oaklands RSL are to be erected.
Council’s decision, at its latest monthly meeting on September 17, followed a public meeting in Oaklands on September 10 and an emotional address by Oaklands CWA secretary Heather Kerr at the subsequent September 17 council meeting.
At the public meeting, it was claimed the building is of significance to the RSL, CWA, Education and Lions Club due to past use. All of these user groups have outgrown or moved to more modern premises.
At the public meeting, 16 residents voted in favour of demolition, nine were against and four abstained from voting.
“From the discussion, it is clear that individuals have a connection to the building,” council’s director development and environment services Sue Appleyard said.
Ms Kerr spoke of the past connection ex-service personnel had with the building. “This is not just about a structure, but an ownership of a place, which the men and women before treasured and valued,” she said in a five-minutes address at council’s monthly meeting.
Cr Miegel said the majority of Oaklands voters wanted to see the building demolished and that council should be consistent with people’s wishes, such as this year’s Yarrawonga/Mulwala Traffic Bridge survey, and endorse the findings of the public.
Cr Miegel’s motion to have the monument and plaque received strong support. Mayor Pat Bourke said the handling of the subject was how it should be by council – listening to both sides of the argument.
“Unfortunately some things can go either way and we’ve got a majority,” the mayor said.
Ms Appleyard said: “The building is considered to have minimal heritage value. The proposed landscape area will provide a focal point at this prominent corner in the main street of Oaklands which will provide residents and visitors with view corridors to all the main community facilities in the town from the main street, including to the swimming pool.”
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