New space to be meeting place

WORKS are underway to build a new community hub that will seek to accommodate the growing population of Alfredton and surrounds.

The building will be located on Donegal Drive, and once complete will feature two community spaces, a meeting room and three kindergarten rooms capable of accommodating almost 100 kids at once.

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, visited the site on Monday and said having a new space for young learners is essential.

“Kinder is so important to them to make sure they’re school-ready,” she said.

“Over the last couple years with COVID, kids haven’t been able to have the socialisation that they otherwise would’ve had.”

With the tender awarded in March, the facility is being built by CIQ Construction Management and is set to be open next year.

The project is being funded with more than $7 million between the City of Ballarat’s current budget and West Developers Contributions Plan while the State Government has added more than $2 million.

Mayor Cr Des Hudson said it’s important to give growing communities spaces to develop.

“Part of where you see residential growth, it’s really important you get the infrastructure right,” he said.

“If you look around and think there’s probably lots of young families, spaces for people to come and gather will be really important.

“The fact they’re co-located in areas where people frequent and have knowledge of the local area is really important.”

According to the municipality’s Community Infrastructure Plan, Ballarat’s west is estimated to grow by 73 per cent by 2036.