THE dispute between various community groups and Moyne Shire over the use of a multipurpose room and other facilities at the Mortlake Community Centre appears to be over.

Mortlake Community Development Committee (MCDC) president, Kelvin Goodall, told The Spectator last week there had been talks between parties to avoid protracted and expensive legal action and come to a workable agreement.

Moyne Shire and the MCDC issued a joint media release with mayor, Ian Smith, thanking Mr Goodall “for his flexibility and positive approach to the discussions”.

Moyne deputy mayor, Daniel Meade, represented Council and an agreement in-principle was reached which will ensure the management hub for the Corangamite and Moyne Library Service will be based in the Mortlake Community Centre building, while groups will maintain access to the room.

Mr Goodall agreed having a lengthy legal action was not in anybody’s interests and would only create animosity in the community.

He said the talks had been cordial.

“Basically, we’ve come to a compromise,” Mr Goodall said.

“We keep the multipurpose room as it is. They’re going to move the reception to the front of the library building, which will free up that area to extend and they’re going to use that and the other storage area to operate the hub.

“We’ve got two offices there that are hardly ever used - one of them was just full of library books. That will be used for the employees of the hub.”

Mr Goodall said the legal advice the MCDC had received claimed Council had “mucked up” the original decision because they had treated them as if they were a corporation, but they were actually an incorporated association as the remaining tenant of the building.

He said the new library hub would be sub-leased to them as “a way of getting around what’s really been a mismanaged mess”.

“The communications between the Shire and MCDC over the last few weeks have enabled a positive and open exchange between us to overcome any impasse that may have existed,” Mr Goodall said.

“We are assured that this will continue as we reach finalisation of the integration between MCDC, the Information Centre and the new Corangamite and Moyne Library Service.

“Having reached this milestone there is still a significant amount of work to be done before completing the journey. MCDC looks forward to working with the Shire and the Corangamite and Moyne Library Service in developing a facility that the community can be proud of.”

Cr Smith said he was pleased an amicable solution could be reached for all stakeholders.

“A lengthy process would not have been in best interest of either MCDC or Moyne Shire Council,” he said.

“Sitting down and talking through the issues and reaching a compromise is a much better solution.

“Council recognises things could and should have been done differently in relation to this matter. Council will reflect on the process followed and make the necessary changes.

“Our discussions and in-principle agreement ensure library services can continue to operate across the Shire, embeds important Council services in Mortlake and brings three new positions to the town, which has positive flow on effects for local businesses.”

Mr Goodall appeared in good spirits about the outcome, and said it was like “a legal Highland Fling”, referring to the disarray that had been caused by the original decision to remove community groups from the multipurpose room.

“Either that or an Irish dance,” he quipped.

“Standing with your arms folded and your legs are moving at nineteen to the dozen.”