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 No room at Sydenham hub for disability services 

No room at Sydenham hub for disability services

21 Feb, 2012 12:00 AM
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REPRESENTATIVES of disability groups across Brimbank are furious the new Sydenham Community Hub will not include a dedicated space for disability support services.

The hub, at the Sydenham library building, is expected to be completed by this year.

Brimbank Council has allocated $500,000 for the development's first stage.

The hub will include a community exhibition space for displays by residents and groups, an IT lab with multimedia equipment for education and training, and a large multi-purpose space for health and well-being classes and children's activities.

Sydenham Neighbourhood House will be moved from the Sydenham Community Centre to the hub, where it will have a permanent space.

But North Sunshine resident Peter Thomson said he was angry the council had ignored residents' calls for the hub to include a permanent disability support service.

"A disability hub is the one thing we really haven't got in Brimbank and this was the perfect chance to start something," he said.

"We need a place where people can meet to get information and a place for support groups to run their sessions. With high levels of people with diabetes in Brimbank and an ageing population, there will be more people living with disabilities and there's a definite need for such a hub."

Mr Thomson, who is chairman of the Brimbank Disability Advisory Network, said the group had spoken to the council several times to push for improved disability services.

Keilor Downs mother Despina Havelas, a member of Taylors Lakes autism support group Autism Angels, said Brimbank desperately needed a central service where people with disabilities and their carers could go.

Council general manager of community wellbeing Kelly Grigsby said while the hub would not have a dedicated disability service space, it would be an accessible and inclusive centre for all residents.

"All neighbourhood house programs are inclusive of people with disability and the hub design will be supportive of disability access, inclusive of lift, change hoist and spaces for hire," she said.

"The hub will also have hearing loops and a recharge point and there is community meeting space for all groups, including disability groups, and a consulting room space for visiting services for all life stages and abilities."

A date has not been set for works to begin.

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