The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, is urging the Allan Labor Government to provide Benalla’s Waminda Community House with a new facility after they were forced to relocate due to extensive termite damage.
For over 40 years, Waminda Community House in Benalla has been providing vulnerable residents with advocacy, food relief, and health and wellbeing services.
However, since June 6 their long-standing permanent site on Ballintine Street was closed due to termite damage making the building unusable.
Waminda’s temporary site is not fit-for-purpose, and the community house has been forced into drastically reducing services due to size limitations.
Ms Cleeland raised the issue in Parliament, saying that crucial services like Waminda must be supported.
“Despite representatives from the community house raising their needs with this government on multiple occasions, a lack of urgency has been taken to ensure Waminda can continue to deliver much needed services for the Benalla community,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Waminda is located in one of the most disadvantaged areas in the region, and the services they have provided have been essential in improving the livelihood of local residents.
“Whether it be accessing up to date information, food relief, participating in programs, or just having a place to meet, Waminda has been there to help locals who need it most.”
With Waminda being located next to the ongoing construction works for the Benalla West Project, Ms Cleeland said the timing was right to build a new facility.
“While the Benalla West Project has been at a standstill with massive delays and cost blowouts, it is inexcusable that the initial plans did not consider an upgrade for Waminda,” Ms Cleeland said.
“If this government was truly aiming to improve the life of those living in the area, their first step would be to ensure that a purpose-built community house is constructed for Waminda as quickly as possible.”
