DAREBIN COUNCIL TALKS UP ITS PROBLEM LOCATION

● ● ● ● The Melbourne Innovation Centre at Wingrove St, Alphington. for short to medium-term use, will be publicly advertised and considered against an objective set of principles that will be endorsed by Council,” Mr Smith said.

Darebin Council for the site at 2 Wingrove St, Alphington .

The Centrre plans to vacate the premises at the end of the current lease on May 18.

Darebin Council CEO Peter Smith said “Council noted the valuable contribution DECL has made through its 25year partnership and the opportunities it has provided to numerous incubator businesses which has generated employment and economic development opportunities for the Darebin community.

“Council was proud to have supported DECL with free rent in exchange for supporting start-up businesses and enterprises in Darebin and looked forward to its partnership with DECL continuing beyond the lease, as its founding member.

“The Melbourne Innovation Centre, and the diverse range of start-up enterprises have played an important role in shaping the unique culture that has come to characterise the Darebin community,” Mr Smith said.

“We wish the Melbourne

Alphington centre problems

Innovation Centre and its licensees well in their next exciting chapter as they graduate from this incubator site, designed to provide start up support for a three-year period”.

Mr Smith said the decision by MIC not to renew its lease created an opportunity for Council to engage the community as part of a comprehensive review of the future of the site.

He said it was particularly important for Council to ensure it builds on its commitment to nurture and “incubate” local enterprises, particularly those with a focus on innovation.

“Council resolved to seek expressions of interest from interested parties to lease or licence parts of the site in the short term as we also undertake a process of community and stakeholder engagement about the long-term vision for the site.

“The opportunity to express interest in all or part of the site

“We expect to receive expressions of interest from enterprises who are currently operating on what has become a much-loved community asset and indeed a weekend drawcard.

“We recognise it is important to provide some certainty for these successful businesses and of course to provide an important revenue stream for a community asset that is too valuable to lie dormant.

“Council will, of course, continue to maintain the site to ensure these valuable community uses are feasible and safe and are aligned to the permitted uses in the current zoning.

“Of course, there are a number of site integrity issues to work through however our priority will be to ensure the site is safe and fit for purpose for both short and medium term uses.

“Council does not see the site as an investment from a revenue point of view,” Mr Smith said.

■ Darebin Council is attempting to put a bright face on the asbestos problems at the Alphington site that is being quit by the Melbourne Innovation Centre.

Council Chief Executive Officer Peter Smith buried the main issue surrounding the Wingrove St property, after a meeting of Council on January 25:

“Of course, there are a number of site integrity issues to work through however our priority will be to ensure the site is safe and fit for purpose for both short and medium term uses,” Mr Smith said in a media release. More than a dozen businesses were affected just before Christmas by asbestos exposure at a Council-owned property.

The Age reported that the site “threatens their livelihood and might have put their health at risk”.

Council threw a $20,000 grant at the businesses late in 2022. Business owners at the Centre faced the prospect of their stock and equipment being destroyed.