By Shannon Meilak
Last month, Brimbank City Council proudly unveiled its long-awaited Carers Space at the Keilor Downs Community Centre, marking a significant milestone for local caregivers. The space is designed to be welcoming and peaceful, with soft furnishings and calming colours creating a cozy ambiance. The project, originally conceived in 2016, officially opened on September 9th to an excited community response.
The event drew a diverse crowd, including current and former council staff, MPs, and carers, who eagerly anticipated exploring what this new facility will offer.
“It was great to finally see a much-needed Carers Hub open in Brimbank” said Georgina Papafotiou, former Mayor of Brimbank.
“This was advocated by Councillors in 2016-2020 and space was allocated for this hub to be in the new Brimbank Aquatic and Leisure centre.” It remains unclear as to why the space was relocated to the Community Centre.
Mayor Ranka Rasic emphasised the significance of the new facility, noting that more than 300 carers are registered in the ‘Support for Carers Program.’
“This space is a multi-purpose space and offers a broad range of features,” she said. Council has indicated that the space will offer professional advice, access to technology, education, support groups, and respite programs.
However, some carers I spoke to expressed concerns about the space’s size and functionality. Lucy pointed out that current programs on offer would not be accommodated within the small room. Like other carers, she was unsure what hours the space would be open, if carers would be required to book an appointment to use the space, and if the space would be available to use as a drop-in centre, to seek respite and connect with other carers over a cup of coffee.
Similar concerns were echoed by Alana who wondered who would get priority access to the space, especially at events with limited capacity, due to the size of the space. She suggested that the space should offer more recreational activities like crafts and self-care sessions, and even proposed Q&A events with local councillors and MPs.
Another issue raised by Alana was the shortage of parking, particularly accessible parking spots. The Keilor Downs Community Centre, which houses the Carers Space, shares its carpark with the bustling Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre. Whilst the aquatic centre has been a resounding success for the community, its popularity has created significant challenges for carers, who may struggle to find convenient and accessible parking.
Adding to the uncertainty, many carers voiced their apprehension about the space being a pilot program of “up to 2-years”. The community was advised that the Carers Space would be a pilot program at the August Council meeting. This lack of clarity about what will happen after the pilot period has left carers uneasy, considering the long-standing need for such a facility. Brimbank City Council was contacted regarding these concerns; however, no answers were provided to these questions.
While there are concerns about the space’s size and future, it is essential to recognise the positive impact of having a dedicated space for carers in the community. Brimbank City Council has delivered a unique, much-needed environment that fosters support and connection—something no other nearby municipality offers. Whether this space will meet expectations or face operational hurdles remains to be seen, but it’s undeniably a significant step forward in supporting carers in the West.
