Hub will be one-stop shop for families

THE Horseshoe Bend Community Hub will open in term one 2027, with construction to start at Charlemont’s Amber Avenue later this year.

It will be next to the new primary school, which will open in 2026.

The $15 million hub will feature four kindergarten rooms to accommodate about 237 places over the course of a week, three maternal and child health rooms, and some multiple purpose rooms and meeting spaces.

City of Greater Geelong councillor Emma Sinclair said Charlemont was growing fast and the projected population was 20,500.

“This area has so many young families, I don’t think I can walk down my street without seeing a new baby born to the area. We are starting to see us reaching capacity for accessible kinder services.”

Cr Sinclair said she had witnessed how well the Armstrong Creek East Hub had brought people together with plenty of different groups using it since it opened in 2019.

Taleisha and Avery Berry (18 months), Cr Emma Sinclair, Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn, Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney and Jessica and Ed Harmer (18 months).

“For communities like ours, these hubs are incredibly important, we are a brand new community, we’ve come from all over the state to set up here.

“And our health data shows there is a little bit of loneliness in this area so building these hubs to build connection and those social introductions to people is really important.”

Cr Sinclair said the state-of-the-art building had been designed with the environment in mind and would feature solar panels and natural ventilation.

She added the Charlemont community had been consulted as well as the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

“The building will be designed to mirror the beautiful, elegant wings of a magpie.”

Charlemont ward councillor Emma Sinclair, Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney with project director John Schout of CO.OP Studio.

She thanked the state government for contributing $9 million to the project.

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn highlighted the importance of having a primary school nearby.

“We know that while they’re separate facilities in some respects, the school and the kinder being so close to each other really is critical in those early years of education,” she said.

“We know that children who are familiar with school from the outset in those early years in kindergarten, will ultimately transition better into primary school.”