Plan for Deans Marsh Community Hub revealed

THE Surf Coast Shire has revealed concept designs and an overall plan to create the Deans Marsh Community Hub, but have warned it will not be built in the short term and will need external funding.

The Deans Marsh Community Hub Facility Development Plan, endorsed by councillors at their meeting last week, aims to build a community hub that reflects the present and future needs of the community, while maintaining the unique characteristics and local significance of the existing site in Deans Marsh Memorial Reserve.

The public feedback period will open on Monday, June 5, and people are encouraged to comment on the preferred design option.

The chosen design will provide a new multi-purpose hub that offers quality spaces sympathetic to the rural and historic location and character.

The hub, which has an estimated cost of between $8 million to $8.5 million, will also provide an Emergency Relief Centre venue and the design will incorporate lightweight fire-resistant materials, making it a safe place for the community during emergencies.

The proposed design also includes a large central foyer, edible garden to service the kitchen, courtyard, outdoor plaza, children’s playground for the daycare centre, accessible paths, new hall which has potential to closely replicate the existing design, and a performance space where the existing Marjorie Lawrence memorial curtain replica can be reinstated.

According to the officers’ report to councillors, the heritage of the existing hall at the site “has been thoroughly assessed and retention of the hall is not considered feasible”, with the development plan stating the existing hall “has been found to be so altered that it has no Architectural Heritage significance”.

Officers also state that “some community dissatisfaction has been expressed… through the Deans Marsh Community Hall & Memorial Reserve Community Asset Committee and Project Steering Group” on the potential timing of the project, which is expected to take three to five years and be supported by a grant or a pledge at the federal election in 2025 or state election in 2026.

“This period is reflective of the proposed funding strategy and is consistent with major projects.

“Officers will continue to communicate to the community that obtaining external funding to add to [the] council’s asset renewal program allocation will take time.”

Cr Libby Stapleton thanked community members who provided input towards the plan.

“I appreciate the heritage of this building is significant, and believe that heritage is more than just physical elements, it’s also about the memories and it’s social significance, and I hope that they will live on in a redevelopment that meets community needs over the coming decades,” she said.

“The existing community hall is the only community facility in Deans Marsh and is a vital, much-loved space, highlighted by the great local response so far during the project.”

She said the shire would ensure the existing hall would remain safe to use in the meantime.