Riddells Creek Men’s Shed members are holding on hope as they search for a permanent home.
The men’s shed – currently without a shed –, may soon have a home at the former Riddells Creek CFA site, if Macedon Ranges council can work out a deal with the state government.
The government has offered council the first right of refusal on the Riddells Creek CFA site at 67 Main Road, with the CFA in the process of obtaining a permit for a new fire station at 180 Main Road.
A report the to 22 October council meeting recommended council decline the offer but Cr Daniel Young put forward an alternative motion to request a time extension to the deadline.
It also recommended writing to Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas requesting thorough consultation with the Riddells Creek Men’s Shed and the Riddells Creek Lions Club on the site’s future use.
Cr Young said while council officers said there was no money allocated in the budget to purchase this site, there is a real need for the facility.
“When we get an opportunity such as this to have an asset stay in the local community and a couple of groups who are crying out for some attention, for someone to give them a home to call their own, I think we have a responsibility as a council to explore all those options,” he said.
The motion passed unanimously.
Riddells Creek Men’s Shed president Jeff Shepard welcomed the decision, saying it gave the group some much-needed hope.
“It’s the best news we’ve had for four years trying to get a new men’s shed,” he said.
Mr Shepard said the group is also writing to Ms Thomas to share its story about its shed troubles.
“We’re in the process of canvassing her to see if (the state government) will donate it back to the community of Riddells Creek,” he said.
Mr Shepard said the original CFA site was funded by the Riddells Creek community as well as the state government, and he wants to see the building returned to the community.
