Terror fear may close car park

TERRORIST fears mean the public car park under the multi-million civic centre may never re-open.
The 40-space car park has been closed to the public since 27 October while a security audit was conducted.
Chief executive John Bennie said the council was briefed on the review’s findings “with a range of proposals to improve security in the precinct” last month.
At a council meeting last Monday, Mr Bennie said the car park “may never be re-opened“.
Councillor Matthew Kirwan said permanently closing the car park to the public “would send a message that we are fearful of visitors to the civic centre”.
“We made a promise to Greater Dandenong residents that we would build a civic centre that would have parking available for residents visiting the library, the customer service centre and the rest of the building – a promise we should keep unless there is a very good reason not to.”
Councillor Peter Brown said the car park couldn’t be opened due to several “weaknesses” on the site, which allow unlawful access to the building.
– CAM LUCADOU-WELLS