While the Greek Community of Melbourne has received positive feedback about the development in Bulleen, it would seem not everyone is sold on the idea.
Leonidas Argiropoulos, one of the oldest members of the community, having served 17 years on the committee, has openly objected to the proposal.
In a two-page advertisement taken out by Mr Argiropoulos in Neos Kosmos’ Thursday edition, he claimed that the so-called ‘proposals’ to develop the site in Bulleen were not in fact made with the good of the community in mind, but are rather an attempt to sell part of the development in a bid to raise funds to be put towards the $5.9 million loan taken out for the Cultural Centre in Melbourne’s CBD.
He recalled having made offers to assist with the development, along with other community members, in the past but says that they were flat-out ignored by the committee.
The former treasurer and general secretary said the underlying motivation behind the push to develop the site in Bulleen was that the cost of the centre had far exceeded the total that had initially been communicated to members, and that the takings from the rent were lower than those budgeted.
Mr Argiropoulos said the committee had already sold most of the community’s assets in order to raise money for the Cultural Centre and that the project in Bulleen was the next in line.
He is encouraging members to better inform themselves about the plans and to go along to the annual general meeting being held on 5 February to discuss alternative proposals for the site.