The proposed Napthine government’s East-West Link will directly impact on Vision Australia’s Seeing Eye Dogs (SEDA) new multi-million dollar facility in Melbourne, but the organisation is confident in the way discussions with the Linking Melbourne Authority (LMA) are progressing.
The site of SEDA’s new facility on Barrett Street Kensington, to be launched in March, would be needed for the East-West project if it proceeds in its current form.
Seeing Eye Dogs Australia General Manager, Leigh Garwood, said while it’s disappointing that the new facility is at risk if the project goes ahead, he’s confident the government will work with Vision Australia to find a suitable solution.
“The government understands that it would take some time to re-establish the facility and to transfer the operations. There has been no indication that we wouldn’t be given ample time, this is all part of our discussions,” Mr Garwood said.
The $8m facility comprises extra kennels, an outdoor pool, and a breeding and training centre, which have all been designed to be viewable by the public. It will allow SEDA to increase the number of dog guides it provides to people who are blind or have low vision from around 33 per year to 100 working dogs per year, reducing the waiting time from 18-months to six months.
Mr Garwood added that Vision Australia’s priority is to ensure people who are blind or have low vision do not have any further delays.
The facility, which will be the largest in Australasia, has been completely funded by public donations, including $1m from 2012’s eftpos Giveback campaign.
“We have firm assurances from the Linking Melbourne Authority that if it does compulsorily acquire our site in the future, it will help us – our generous donations towards this facility won’t be lost,” Mr Garwood said.
Any final outcome of the project’s impact won’t be known until the end of the year.
Vision Australia will launch the state-of-the-art facility to the public on March 22.
Seeing Eye Dogs Australia is a division of Vision Australia.
The site of SEDA’s new facility on Barrett Street Kensington, to be launched in March, would be needed for the East-West project if it proceeds in its current form.
Seeing Eye Dogs Australia General Manager, Leigh Garwood, said while it’s disappointing that the new facility is at risk if the project goes ahead, he’s confident the government will work with Vision Australia to find a suitable solution.
“The government understands that it would take some time to re-establish the facility and to transfer the operations. There has been no indication that we wouldn’t be given ample time, this is all part of our discussions,” Mr Garwood said.
The $8m facility comprises extra kennels, an outdoor pool, and a breeding and training centre, which have all been designed to be viewable by the public. It will allow SEDA to increase the number of dog guides it provides to people who are blind or have low vision from around 33 per year to 100 working dogs per year, reducing the waiting time from 18-months to six months.
Mr Garwood added that Vision Australia’s priority is to ensure people who are blind or have low vision do not have any further delays.
The facility, which will be the largest in Australasia, has been completely funded by public donations, including $1m from 2012’s eftpos Giveback campaign.
“We have firm assurances from the Linking Melbourne Authority that if it does compulsorily acquire our site in the future, it will help us – our generous donations towards this facility won’t be lost,” Mr Garwood said.
Any final outcome of the project’s impact won’t be known until the end of the year.
Vision Australia will launch the state-of-the-art facility to the public on March 22.
Seeing Eye Dogs Australia is a division of Vision Australia.
For more information about SEDA, go to http://seda.visionaustralia.org/.
For media, contact the Rebecca McLean on 0428496105 or [email protected]
For media, contact the Rebecca McLean on 0428496105 or [email protected]