The 30 day clock for a response to calls to restore the JB Osborne Theatre in Kangaroo Flat has begun.
Initiated by the Kangaroo Flat Community Enterprise, Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad brought the petition to Parliament with over 1021 signatures. Now a part of the public record, a copy is sent to the relevant Minister.
The 400-seat theatre is a valuable community asset that has fallen into disrepair, according to Broad.
Broad says, “I remember taking my kids to see the Wiggles perform on stage at the JB Osborne
Theatre many years ago, and it’s important that these valuable community assets are maintained
and put to good use by the local community.
“[The petition] is calling on Federal government for support to redevelop this theatre and bring it up to scratch again!”
The petition calls for the theatre – at Crusoe College, adjacent to a local sporting oval – to be restored, including the construction of multi-purpose change rooms for use by the school and local community.
“It’s concerning to me that there are a number a state-owned assets in Bendigo that have been left to go into a state of wreck and ruin, it’s the same with the Bendigo Law Courts as well,” Broad says.
“But it’s the same with this centre and that’s the concern thats been raised, the college really need that support to bring the centre back to life and refurbish it.”
Broad says there are growing concerns about the state-government spending following the crime-allegations of the CFMEU. She joined politicians last week calling an inquiry into the allegations.
“That has been the topic of discussion a lot recently as to who was employed on those cites and what kind of conduct there’s been,” Broad says.
“There are concerns about how our money is being used at the moment, and when you look at the state budget, we are due to be in $188 Billion of state debt within a couple of years.”
Broad commended the Kangaroo Flat community on the petition, and their ongoing commitment
to the project.
“It was a real privilege to table that petition for the community,” Broad says.
“Petitions provide a valuable opportunity to campaign for change and for local communities to have
their voice heard in Parliament.”
