![]() ![]() Mr Stone said the lily pond had declined in it’s looks since its main water source was removed around 15 years ago.Ī Cardinia Shire spokesperson said the lily pond was maintained by the shire. “If it was prettied up, people see it looks nice and they will give it more respect,“ he said. He said the whole area, including the lily pond, needed updating. Mr Stone said he has been advocating for security cameras and better lighting around the building and car park to deter nefarious behaviour and make patrons of the centre feel safe. I think the entire building is subsiding a little because it’s next to the pond,“ he said. He said it was disappointing to see the centre outshone by newly built facilities in other areas of the district. Jim Stone has acted as committee treasurer, cleaner and maintenance manager for over 30 years but said the centre has been competing with issues of vandalism, security and ageing recently. “Perhaps in neglecting it and mismanaging it council staff and councillors hope that we won’t notice that they leave it to rot and then fill it in and develop the site with more houses, units and shops.“Īdjacent to the pond is the Lilypond Community Centre, popular with groups such as Outlook, playgroup, callisthenics and the Lions Club. “And what do we do to repay their gift? We neglect it, we mismanage it and we ignore it. ![]() “It could have been a jewel in our crown, it could have been a destination for garden lovers, it could have been a fitting tribute and fitting memorial to Victoria’s first family, the Henty’s that gave so much,“ she said. Ms Billing Smith told the Gazette she was saddened to visit the pond recently and see the mud, rubbish and weeds. “In its hay day it was magnificent, however, as is the usual modus operandum of Cardinia Shire Council it is now a neglected, overgrown, weed and litter infected wasteland.“ “Once upon a time, the Henty family, one of Victoria’s first families came to Pakenham and in their wisdom they developed this lily pond,“ Ms Billing Smith said. ![]()
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