Oberon Council has received a $55,000 grant for additions to the centre. The plans provide for an extension to the southern side, wheelchair access and a new access point.

An application for a further $50,000 grant has also been sent off by the council to cover internal renovations including modifications to toilets, new storage areas, new doorways, internal repairs and new carpets.

Council hopes the plans will enable the the centre to become more multifunctional with it being used for meetings, exhibitions, small performances and other gatherings.

But some locals are up in arms about the plans, saying they are a waste of time.

Resident Jill Evans said she has serious concerns about the plans relating mainly to the fact that the southern extension to the centre would mean a large beech tree would have to removed.

Jill said the tree provides the only shade in the yard for users, and it seems a pity to lose such a large beautiful tree for the extension.

“I would love to see it with a seating area around it instead of it being removed,” she said.

Jill said that she feels that the extension measuring around 85 square metres is a waste of space, and is not what the Oberon community wants.

“These plans are not going to achieve what users need,” she said.

“You can't just put in some new carpet and a fresh coast of paint. It smells,” she said.

Jill said the plans should be scrapped, and council should wait until they have enough funding to do a proper job.

She believes many Oberon residents would prefer that the council commit to building the multi-purpose community centre.

Plans for the multi-purpose community centre, which included the library and community centre under one roof, were scrapped by the council last year.

With only eight days remaining for submissions to be received by council about the planned extensions, Jill urged users to make their concerns known. “Anyone who wants to voice their opinion, let us know,” she said.