By Mikayla van Loon
More than six months after a tree branch fell on the front of The Bridge House, Japara Neighbourhood House’s management board is still waiting for repairs to be carried out.
When the Star Mail first reported on the damage in December, board chairperson Mark Doubleday said the initial estimate from Yarra Ranges Council for repairs was six weeks.
Having not been updated on a timeline for the maintenance works, Mr Doubleday said it is hard to plan for the front room’s use with interested community groups.
“What we’re really looking for is some clarity about the timeframe, so we can plan and we can tell the community ‘look something is happening’ and to look forward to something rather than have no information,” he said.
Mr Doubleday said he understands there may be external holds up from the insurance company or lack of trades but having requested any information on the repairs about a month ago, little was communicated.
Yarra Ranges Council has confirmed the insurance process delayed the repairs but the community should see works being carried out in the near future.
“After doing due diligence to assess all parts of the building and navigating insurance, we will soon be awarding a contract for the building repairs,” Acting Director of Environment and Infrastructure Kim O’Connor said.
“We look forward to these works starting shortly and being finished in the first half of this financial year.”
Although The Bridge House does not get used as much in winter, Mr Doubleday said “it’s starting to impact on our ability to to develop programs.”
“The Bridge Garden looks like a worksite and it’s not encouraging. Yes, it’s winter and it is in lower use but winter is going to conclude.
“Going into spring and summer, we know that the garden and that place feels safe, people are happy to meet and gather there more so than here [at Japara House].
“So we see it as part of the future of us starting to redevelop post the pandemic and we haven’t had any advice as to what the timeframe or what the expectation is going to be to get it fixed.”
With what Mr Doubleday describes as “the circus tent” tarp still on the roof of The Bridge House, he regularly hears from people who believe it is closed completely.
The back half of the house can still be used safely, as well as the surrounding gardens but the front entrance has been blocked as a caution.
“If the council was going to do some work there, now is actually the best time. There’s hardly any use and we certainly can’t promote it but while it’s in a low-use state it’s actually in the best position to get something to happen.”
