MAROONDAH mayor Rob Steane is "filthy" that Ringwood has missed out on being the site for a new youth mental health centre in Melbourne's outer east.
Knox was confirmed last week as the spot for the new federally funded headspace centre, which will offer a range of mental health services for young people in Maroondah, Yarra Ranges and Knox.
The announcement concludes an almost year-long battle between the two municipalities over where the mental health hub should be based.
In April it was reported that a consortium of community health services had recommended the Knox Ozone site over Maroondah Council's offer of a site on Maroondah Highway, Ringwood. Cr Steane maintained Ringwood was the best site because it was a major transport interchange for young people.
Youth Affairs Minister and Warrandyte MP Ryan Smith also publicly supported Ringwood as the best location.
"I am filthy dirty on this decision," Cr Steane told the Weekly. "This is a decision that has clearly been made on the amenities for staff and not on the needs of the client.
"I get very disappointed when the needs of the community have been overlooked for fancy furniture in a fancy office.
"One headspace in Knox is better than none but the decision is wrong on a whole range of fronts."
The youth mental health hub will operate in the old Centrelink building at Knox Ozone and is expected to be helping clients before the end of the year.
The Eastern Ranges GP Association - soon to be known as the Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local - will be in charge of establishing the centre.
ERGPA chief executive officer Kristin Michaels said the organisation was thrilled..
Knox mayor Adam Gill last week praised the hard work of council officers and ERGPA for their work on the successful bid.