BALLAN could have to wait nearly five years for adequate facilities for its growing number of handymen.
A Ballan Men’s Shed group wants to build a new shed to replace its cramped quarters, which are inadequate for housing a growing number of blokes looking to ‘tinker’ and talk .
Ballan and District Community Centre has been granted $25,000 by the Moorabool Council, but a request for $50,000 from the state government was knocked back because the project did not meet its existing buildings criteria.
“There’s a real need to upgrade and increase capacity of existing men’s sheds, which is why the first round of funding under the Strengthening Men’s Sheds program is for refurbishments only,” a government spokesman said.
“The program is designed to run over four years and there will be funding for new buildings in future funding rounds.”
Centre manager Bev Blaskett said a new shed was sorely needed.
“The existing building is too small; it’s not suitable,” she said. “With more men coming to the shed, conditions are getting really cramped.
“We’re getting 30 men every Wednesday and Friday mornings, so there’s also safety considerations.”
