By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE Narre Warren South Scout Group has finally found a second home.
On Tuesday night, Casey Council confirmed it will grant the local Scout group access to a new block of land at Baringa Park – 89-101 Oakgrove Drive – as the Scouts continue to outgrow their current facility.
The Narre Warren South Scouts have been based at the Oakgrove Community Centre since the group’s inception in 2007, but now with 85 members, as well as 17 leaders, the group has been unable to take in new recruits for some time and needs extra space.
Cr Berkelmans told the chamber that the land on the other side of their current site’s carpark will be used to construct a new facility funded by the Narre Warren South scouts.
“It’s an ideal location which is absolutely fantastic,” she said.
“My fellow ward councillor and I look forward to the opening, whenever that will be, for some scones and tea.“
It’s understood Scouts Victoria has provided a written commitment for the construction of the new Scout hall and will potentially seek funding through the Regional Development Australia Auspiced National Stronger Regions Fund.
In October, councillors Louise Berkelmans and Sam Aziz tabled a joint letter on behalf of the Scout group which suggested using land next to the Kilgerron restaurant on Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road.
But after discussions between council officers and Scout group leaders, the Kilgerron site wasn’t deemed appropriate and new suggestions were put forward.
“Our current facilities aren’t big enough, we need three or four nights a week,” Narre Warren South Scout Group Leader Colin McNamara told Star News last year.
“There are a number of people who want to join, and we just can’t accommodate them, we have had to send several to other groups in Casey.”
For more information, contact Colin McNamara at groupleader@nwsscoutgroup.com.
