Greythorn Community Hub is now open in Balwyn North

On the Monday 30 July the new Greythorn Community Hub opened at 2 Centre Way, Balwyn North.

It's the home of new services, including Trentwood at the Hub (a new neighbourhood house), the North Balwyn RSL, Greythorn Library Lounge, Greythorn Maternal and Child Health, Greythorn Early Childhood Centre and Access Health and Community.

There is also new open space on the corner of Centre Way and Trentwood Avenue for community events, including RSL remembrance ceremonies, and an underground car park for 52 cars.

Centre Way has been transformed with a more attractive streetscape for pedestrians and vehicles, and is an important link between the Greythorn Community Hub and Greythorn Shopping Centre. We also worked with traders to improve the appearance of the rear of the shops.

Greythorn Community Hub will bring more people to the Greythorn shopping strip, with an estimated 155,000 additional visitors each year. The Hub is an important ‘place-building’ project that will increase the vibrancy of the area and contribute to a sense of community. 

Visiting the Hub

Having several services located in the same building makes it much easier for everyone. With 3-hour parking in the basement, parents will be able to drop their kids at childcare, return books to the library lounge and get to the local shops in one trip. 

A program at the new Trentwood at the Hub Neighbourhood House can be combined with a coffee across the street.

RSL memorabilia is displayed throughout the Hub, and its meetings and events will now be held in this modern purpose-built building. 

In addition to the above services, University of the Third Age (U3A) and Boroondara’s Youth Services will run regular programs and activities at the Hub. Immunisation drop-in sessions will also be offered from 2019.

Rooms are available to hire for meetings, functions and events.

Why the hub is called 'Greythorn'

To guide the official naming process we researched the history of the local area. 

Greythorn Community Hub was selected as the official name for the Hub, as the local community strongly identifies with the name Greythorn, which dates back to the 1920s. This name will increase the profile of Greythorn, as a destination for community services and shopping. The new library will be known as the Greythorn Library Lounge. 

Trentwood at the Hub is the name for the new onsite neighbourhood house. ‘Trentwood’ has a strong connection to the local area, with Trentwood Avenue and the Trentwood Estate close by.

Bringing your vision to life

For many years, we have been talking with local people about providing a multipurpose community facility in the north-east of Boroondara, and that vision has now become a reality.

We also asked you what programs and services you’d like and you told us what you wanted during the development of the Boroondara Community Plan. We are now delivering what’s important to you.

This project has been made possible because the North Balwyn RSL Sub-Branch generously agreed to a long-term lease with Council for its part of the site, and enabled Council to build the Greythorn Community Hub. 

Engaging our community

We worked closely with the local community throughout the planning, design and construction of the Hub. In addition to a number of public consultations, there were Community Ambassadors who provided information about the project to residents and shared the community’s views with us.

Funding

The total cost of the project is $17.2m. Council gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Australian Government, through the National Stronger Regions Fund, of $3.2m towards the construction of Greythorn Community Hub.

Hub development timeline Date Action 2013 We consulted with close to 800 local residents in the Balwyn, Balwyn North and Deepdene area to understand what the community priorities are for co-located services and activities in a ‘one-stop shop’. July 2014 The North Balwyn RSL Sub-Branch generously agreed to negotiate a long-term lease with Council for part of the site so we could develop a facility that offers a range of community services and programs for residents. June 2015 We sought the community's feedback on a draft concept plan. August 2015 to May 2016 Planning application sought and a detailed design is developed. May 2016 A planning permit was issued for the Greythorn Community Hub project.  July 2016 Early works to realign an existing sewer and main drain from the site occur.  September 2016 Tender to construct the Hub is awarded to Ireland Brown Constructions Pty Ltd. Late 2016 to mid-2018 Construction of the Hub. January 2017 Greythorn Early Childhood Centre and Kindergarten temporarily relocated to the former Balwyn Leisure Centre. 30 July 2018 Services commenced operating. 1 September 2018 Grand opening event.