Shire has rethink about plans for Anglesea hub

THE Surf Coast Shire is having a rethink about its proposal to redevelop the McMillan Street precinct in Anglesea and is inviting applicants to join a co-design process.

The precinct presently contains several buildings housing Barwon Health Services and Anglesea Medical Centre, Anglesea’s memorial hall, kindergarten, community house, historical society, senior citizens centre and Angair, as well as the Anglesea Community Garden.

Under the original draft plan for the Anglesea Community and Health Hub, some of these buildings will be replaced with a two-storey integrated community and health hub, with space for the precinct’s existing user groups.

Five townhouses and 14 apartments would also be built at the rear of the site and are intended to “address the key worker accommodation crisis”, according to the shire’s website.

There has been some community opposition to the hub proposal, including the addition of housing, the impacts on traffic, parking design, and the proposal’s high cost.

At their meeting on Tuesday this week, councillors resolved to begin a co-design process for the Anglesea Community and Health Hub project, with expressions of interest opening today (Friday, March 1).This will involve a representative group of up to 30 people from the community, including precinct users, with a range of skills, experience and opinions taking part in a series of four workshops over the coming months.

Participants will be supported to understand what has already happened, what constraints need to be considered, and the opportunities that the project provides for Anglesea.

The group will build on the work that has been completed to date, consider the results of the community engagement, and develop a draft concept plan that will be shared with the community for feedback and then presented to the shire by the middle of the year.

Following the meeting, shire mayor Liz Pattison encouraged Anglesea locals to apply.

“There has been a high level of interest in this project, so we want to make sure that community needs and views are captured and reflected in the hub’s design,” she said.

“The co-design process is a great opportunity for locals to contribute their thoughts, ideas and experiences, all of which will influence the future of this precinct.”

“There will also be an opportunity for the broader community to review and provide feedback on the draft concept plan developed through the co-design process, before it is considered by the council.”

For more information or to apply, head to yoursay.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/angleseaHUB