A BITTER war of words has erupted over the closure of City Life’s cafe in Clyde St Mall that feeds Frankston’s homeless and disadvantaged.
Pastor Mark Whitby, founder of the charity who has overseen its operations for two decades, announced last week the cafe and associated Frankston Churches Breakfast Club will stop dishing out meals for the last time next month.
City Life is being forced to move due to the construction of a $16 million five-storey apartment building at 4 and 6 Clyde St Mall and 36R Ross Smith Ave East (”Homeless’ charities close doors’, The Times 6/6/15).
Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke says the state government tried to help City Life find a new home over several months but an offer worth about $400,000 to temporarily relocate to 31 Beach St, the current location of the FRANK (Frankston Regional Artists Network) gallery was turned down by City Life’s board.
Mr Whitby issued a media statement late on Friday afternoon (10 June) disputing the government’s offer of financial help.
“Mr Edbrooke has publicly claimed City Life was offered nearly $400,000 to re-site – this is completely false,” Mr Whitby said in the statement.
“That figure nor any other specific figure was ever discussed or offered.”
Mr Edbrooke maintained the government made an offer to City Life to keep its operations afloat in the short term at Beach St before more suitable permanent premises could be found elsewhere in Frankston.
“City Life said they were going to cease providing their service so the state government and I came up with an alternative option which would continue to provide meals, welfare and support to those in need in Frankston,” Mr Edbrooke said.
“A package worth close to $400,000 to pay for rent, industrial kitchen facilities and extra buildings was discussed with City Life but unfortunately rejected.”
The Labor MP announced last Thursday (9 June) that he had promised to help City Life find new premises but unfortunately an agreement could not be reached before City Life’s deadline to move out of Clyde St Mall next month.
“I committed that the meals and support service would be protected on my watch, and since the City Life board’s decision, I have been working to confirm both funding and an alternate service provider,” Mr Edbrooke said.
Mr Edbrooke advised the charity Wintringham and “other stakeholders” to be confirmed in coming weeks had accepted $300,000 in government funding so meal and support services can continue.
Frankston Council welcomed the arrival of Wintringham.
“It is with sadness that council received advice that City Life, in conjunction with the Frankston Community Breakfasts, is closing its free meals service delivered by the many dedicated volunteers to the most vulnerable within our community,” Mayor Cr James Dooley said.
“During this time, both council and the Victorian government have been working with City Life to ensure a meals service continues to be provided to those in need.
“We shall secure council facilities as venues for the meals service to be delivered.”
Councillors unanimously voted at last Monday evening’s public council meeting on 5 June “to facilitate a round table discussion with City Life, Frankston Community Breakfasts, homelessness services and the Victorian government to identify an accessible and viable permanent option for the meals service to continue in the future”.
The same nine councillors all voted to approve the 60-apartments development at a council meeting in December 2014. Council officers at the time promised to help City Life find new premises.
“Wintringham is acknowledged as a leading organisation for supporting older people experiencing homelessness across Melbourne. Their role within the community will be greatly appreciated,” Cr Dooley said.
“Council has valued the services provided by City Life over the years and we congratulate Mark and his team for their efforts to support those in need.”
Mr Whitby told The Times City Life will open “an op shop” at 9 Station St in Frankston to continue raising money to help Frankston’s most vulnerable people.
