Opening date nears for Queenscliff Hub

THE new Queenscliff community hub is on track for a mid-year finish as builders apply the finishing touches to the future community centre.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Bellarine MP Lisa Neville toured the construction site last week for the centre that will bring a host of community services under one roof.

Queenscliff’s historical museum, Visitor Information Centre and library will all have new homes at the $5.75 million Hesse Street site once the build is completed.

The hub will have the name Wurrung Wurrung, meaning ‘to listen’ in Wadawurrung language, following input from Traditional Owners into designs.

The community groups will all have more floor space as part of designs for the Hesse Street complex, with shared facilities like staff areas and public toilets to provide modern amenities.

Public spaces including an adaptable auditorium and an outdoor courtyard will also be available to tenants and the community for a range of uses.

The final hub will retain the Queenscliff Library’s heritage facade and public space at Field Park, which previously separated the visitor centre-library building and the museum but will be incorporated in the new space.

The Borough of Queenscliffe is managing the build of the multi-use project, which evolved from a modest connection between the three facilities into a multi-million-dollar redevelopment following an influx of government funding.

The state government chipped in the largest share, $4.2 million, while the borough and federal government also provided cash.

Ms Neville said she was pleased to see the project come to fruition and looked forward to its opening later this year.

“Having early on recognised the community-wide support for this project, I was pleased to initially secure state funding and since then chair the Community Steering Committee overseeing the planning and construction of the building,” she said.

“In that role I have worked closely with representatives of the borough, the museum, library and the community association ensuring the hub will provide tenants and the community with the modern and first-class facilities they need and deserve.”