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‘NORTHCOTE BUDGET’ EDITION ALPHINGTON • CLIFTON HILL • COLLINGWOOD • CROXTON • DENNIS • FAIRFIELD • FITZROY • NORTHCOTE • THORNBURY • WESTGARTH
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2023
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● Peter Smith, Darebin Council CEO
● The Melbourne Innovation Centre at Wingrove St, Alphington. for short to medium-term use, ■ Darebin Enterprise Centre will be publicly advertised and Ltd - DECL (trading as considered against an objecMelbourne Innovation Centive set of principles that will tre) will no longer seek a new be endorsed by Council,” Mr lease from Darebin Council for Smith said. the site at 2 Wingrove St, “We expect to receive exAlphington . pressions of interest from enThe Centrre plans to vacate the premises at the end of the Innovation Centre and its lic- terprises who are currently opensees well in their next excit- erating on what has become a current lease on May 18. Darebin Council CEO Pe- ing chapter as they graduate much-loved community asset ter Smith said “Council noted from this incubator site, de- and indeed a weekend the valuable contribution signed to provide start up sup- drawcard. “We recognise it is imporDECL has made through its 25- port for a three-year period”. Mr Smith said the decision tant to provide some certainty year partnership and the opportunities it has provided to nu- by MIC not to renew its lease for these successful busimerous incubator businesses created an opportunity for nesses and of course to prowhich has generated employ- Council to engage the commu- vide an important revenue ment and economic develop- nity as part of a comprehen- stream for a community asset ment opportunities for the sive review of the future of the that is too valuable to lie dorsite. mant. Darebin community. He said it was particularly “Council will, of course, “Council was proud to have supported DECL with free rent important for Council to ensure continue to maintain the site to in exchange for supporting it builds on its commitment to ensure these valuable commustart-up businesses and enter- nurture and “incubate” local nity uses are feasible and safe prises in Darebin and looked enterprises, particularly those and are aligned to the permitted uses in the current zoning. forward to its partnership with with a focus on innovation. “Council resolved to seek “Of course, there are a numDECL continuing beyond the lease, as its founding member. expressions of interest from in- ber of site integrity issues to “The Melbourne Innova- terested parties to lease or li- work through however our prition Centre, and the diverse cence parts of the site in the ority will be to ensure the site range of start-up enterprises short term as we also under- is safe and fit for purpose for have played an important role take a process of community both short and medium term in shaping the unique culture and stakeholder engagement uses. “Council does not see the that has come to characterise about the long-term vision for site as an investment from a the Darebin community,” Mr the site. “The opportunity to express revenue point of view,” Mr Smith said. “We wish the Melbourne interest in all or part of the site Smith said.
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DAREBIN COUNCIL TALKS UP ITS PROBLEM LOCATION
■ 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.
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