The Ballan Mechanics Institute Hall is under new management, but ousted committee members are fuming over the decision.
The state-owned heritage hall has been managed by two groups but, in a recent move by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to simplify management, the Mechanics Institute committee was dissolved.
Ballan and District Community House and Adult Education Centre, which is based at the hall, will now manage it.
Institute president David Hookey said he believed the decision was made “underhandedly”.
“We feel like the committee has been dissolved without so much as a thanks for all your good work,” he said.
The new managers will oversee the hall’s two full-time employees as well as the free library and Centrelink.
An Environment, Land, Water and Planning spokesman said the department had been discussing options for the hall with all parties and Moorabool council.
“The department believes it is in the best long-term interests of the community for the Ballan and District Community House and Adult Education Centre committee to be appointed as the committee of management.”
