Talks have stalled to help the Riddells Creek Men’s Shed find a new home.
Currently shedless, members meet at each other’s houses and around town, but have been trying to find a new location for a shed since 2021.
Recently, shed members met with Macedon Ranges council in a bid to secure a spot for a shed at the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve, however founding member Don Clark said negotiations were unsuccessful.
“I don’t know what else we can do,” he said.
Mr Clark said the Open Space Strategy, which is currently being renewed, and the Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve Master Plan, both prevent a shed being located at the reserve.
“It’s very, very disappointing given the shire is quite adamant that the men’s shed and the mental health of men is such an important aspect to the shire’s overall health strategy, but they will not give us a site. We’re not asking for the world,” Mr Clark said.
“They even agree that the site we’ve selected… is the ideal site for the men’s shed, covering up an eyesore of the sand and soil area and (will not be) very intrusive.”
Council chief executive officer Bernie O’Sullivan said council officers had been working in good faith with shed members for many years to find a solution.
He said council had worked to resolve issues between the shed and its former host, the Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House, after the termination of an auspice agreement.
“The men’s shed has indicated its preference to council to explore other locations and presented several options at a recent meeting,” he said.
“Council officers gave advice on each of these options, including that the men’s shed would need to converse directly with the relevant landowners, but broadly none of the four options presented are viable short-term solutions.”
He said the Open Space Strategy, which once finalised will include direction on infrastructure in open spaces, is currently being drafted and will go out to community consultation later this year.
The Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve Master Pan, which Mr O’Sullivan said council was “eager to progress”, was unsuccessful in a recent state government grant funding application and will likely be delayed.
“Council is committed to continuing these discussions with the men’s shed and has suggested that the membership base may consider utilising other men’s sheds nearby as an interim measure, until something more permanent can be realised at Riddells Creek,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
