Have your say on Drouin Community Hub options

Have your say on Drouin Community Hub options

Published on 17 June 2020

Council is seeking community feedback on the preferred location and service priorities for a future integrated Community Hub in Drouin. 

In July 2019, Council adopted the Community Hub Strategy co-designed with community input via surveys and workshops. Developing a Community Hub in Drouin was identified as a key action of the strategy due to a lack of integrated spaces where people and groups can meet, access services and hold events.

Community feedback also indicated that the Community Hub should be an inclusive, multi-use facility with a diverse offering of services and activities reflecting community needs – including an early learning facility, multifunctional spaces, large hall, library, youth spaces, information centre, business support provisions and outdoor areas.

Council’s next step is to seek further feedback on the preferred facility location and service priorities in order to refine requirements and activate the design development process.

Five shortlisted potential site locations have been identified based on their suitability, integration with existing facilities and town centre accessibility:

Option 1: Existing Council Civic Centre building at Civic Park (utilise the existing building with a need for alternate Council office accommodation at another location) Option 2: Extend the existing Council Civic Centre building at Civic Park (extend the existing building and maintain Council office accommodation) Option 3: Carpark in Civic Park (existing Brynwood Avenue/Edward Street carpark location) Option 4: Oak Street (current Senior Citizens Hall and Croquet Club site) Option 5: Bellbird Park Recreation Precinct (corner of Settlement and Shillinglaw Roads)

Architects have developed initial sketches for each shortlisted potential site location, these can be accessed here.

The need for Community Hubs, particularly in Drouin, was identified as a key community priority in the Council Plan 2017-21. Council’s current Long Term Infrastructure Plan allows for $7 million over coming years for this project (subject to some external funding support).

Have your say

Community feedback on the preferred location and service offerings for a Community Hub in Drouin is now being sought.

Full project details including detailed architectural concept drawings for each shortlisted potential site locations are available at www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/DrouinCommunityHub

This consultation opportunity is now open for four weeks from Wednesday 17 June - Wednesday 15 July 2020.

Following the consultation period, Council Officers will consolidate comments and feedback to assist in making further recommendations to Council.

Quotes attributable to West Ward Cr Tricia Jones

“We’ve listened to our community who have told us that a central integrated Community Hub in Drouin is needed. We’re committed to working alongside our community to develop a facility that is useful, functional and a place to be proud of. We’ve now reached the next steps of the project and are seeking community feedback on the site specifics.”

Quotes attributable to West Ward Cr Keith Cook

“Community Hubs are important social infrastructure vital to the ongoing well-being of growing communities. They serve as a meaningful gathering place, a local information hub and a space to access important services. We’d love to hear your preference for where this hub should be located and how it might function.”

Quotes attributable to West Ward Cr Jessica O’Donnell

“We’ve looked at potential Community Hub site locations across Drouin using several criteria to come up with a shortlist – including suitability, site ownership, integration with existing facilities, and town centre accessibility for transport and pedestrians. Five potential options are now on the table for consideration. We’d love to hear from as many local community members as possible as to the preferred option.”