PICAL services have been thrown a lifeline, with Victoria’s peak neighbourhood house group vowing emergency food relief, Centrelink and the community garden will continue.

As reported in last week’s Advertiser, the Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre is set to be wound up after being unable to meet debts incurred from an “administrative inaccuracy”, underpaying wages to employees for more than a decade.

A special general meeting of members has been called for November 14 and if members agree to the recommendation, the 44-year-old community house will close.

However, Neighbourhood Houses Gippsland (NHG) on Thursday released a statement saying if PICAL was required to liquidate following the special general meeting, NHG – in collaboration with funding bodies – “will step in as a caretaker”.

NHG network manager Toni Halloran-Lavelle said they would ensure essential services, such as emergency food relief – which feeds about 300 people a week – as well as Centrelink support, and the community garden, would continue. 

“Although program delivery may be limited in the short term under NHG’s coordination, the primary focus will remain on providing access to vital community services,” she said.

“NHG is working closely with PICAL to address its financial challenges and explore alternative solutions to maintain essential community services.”

Ms Halloran-Lavelle said following discussions with Bass Coast Shire CEO Greg Box, council will provide access to PICAL’s Warley Avenue headquarters and the Settlement Road community garden “to support NHG and ensure continuity of service if needed”.

“NHG is dedicated to supporting the Phillip Island community through these challenging times. 

“Our priority will be to sustain essential services and provide the necessary support to navigate these changes.”

More details in next week’s paper.