Echuca East Community Precinct

29 November 2018 - Media release

Campaspe Shire Council is calling on community groups in Echuca to come forward if they think the multi-purpose community centre, planned for the Echuca East Community Precinct, may be able support their club into the future.

Mayor, Cr Adrian Weston said the precinct, adjoining Sutton Street and the Echuca East Primary School, is already actively used by a number of community groups, including Community Radio EMFM, Echuca Moama & District Dog Obedience Club, Rich River Quilter’s & Friends, Echuca Girl Guides, Echuca Holiday After School Program, Echuca & District Kennel Club, Echuca Apex Club, Echuca East Primary School, Echuca Lions Club and Echuca East Preschool.

“Development of the precinct will see a community centre designed to meet the needs of existing user groups with discussions already underway. There is however an opportunity for more community groups to be part of the conversation,” Cr Weston said.

In late 2015 council prepared a draft concept plan for the whole precinct. This was put out for community input, with some community groups making contact asking if they could utilise the purpose-built community centre space.

“While the concept plan for the open space precinct is progressing to detailed design, the community centre space is only at the concept stage, looking at which groups may utilise the centre, what the needs of the broader community are, all to help inform the design,” Cr Weston said.

“This might be as a regular meeting space for community groups that don’t have a place to meet, or may be a small club seeking affordable storage options, active working areas, or just access to facilities such as toilets to support active use of the planned open area.”

The concept plan indicates the location of the community centre within the precinct, however does not show any detail. In progressing development of the precinct, the project has now been divided into two stages:

1.             Development of the concept plan for the community centre following community consultation.

2.             Detailed design of the open space precinct in line with the endorsed Echuca East Precinct Plan.

“Both will inform costs, identify staging options of works, to support future funding applications,” Cr Weston said.

“No construction works will take place until funding has been secured.”

Community groups are asked to respond by Monday, 7 January either by:

“This is an exciting opportunity for groups to join together, to ensure the future community centre is actively used, meets the needs for today and the future,” Cr Weston said.

“Once the new community centre has been constructed, existing ad hoc buildings within the precinct will be demolished as outlined in the Echuca East Community Precinct Plan.”

Further details are available on council’s website, including the precinct concept plan.