Winchelsea Community House could manage shire hall

THE Winchelsea Community House has emerged as the possible new tenant of the former Winchelsea Shire Hall, in a plan being assessed by the Surf Coast Shire council.

The house presently operates from a building attached to the former shire hall, but the proposal would see the organisation manage the facility, make spaces available for hire and deliver programs.

As part of lease negotiations, the council will explore using a portion of the facility to house its maternal and child health services.

For the past five years, maternal and child health services have been operating from Hesse Rural Health in Winchelsea, via a lease that expired in January.

Hesse Rural Health did not renew the lease due to COVID safe requirements associated with its aged care facility operating from the same building.

The shire expects Winchelsea’s maternal and child health services will need to increase from July 1 to meet growing demand.

At its meeting last week, the council resolved to work with the community house after considering several options for the former hall’s future, which were developed following the preferred commercial tenant’s decision not to proceed with a new food business at the venue.

The council allocated $10,000 to complete a full investigation of the proposal, including establishment and recurrent costs, operating model and timeframes, the findings of which will be reported to a council meeting on or before July 27.

The council also allocated up to $10,000 to enable Winchelsea Community House to commission appropriate advice on entering into an agreement to run the hall and to develop a business plan for its long-term activation.

The Winchelsea Community House does not have the financial capacity to lease, manage and activate the facility, so may also require ongoing funding from the council.

Cr Adrian Schonfelder said locating the Winchelsea Community House at the former shire hall would support the local community to drive the use and success of the facility.
“Extensive community consultation identified the vision for the former shire hall to be an active and inclusive place, supporting community connection and contributing to a vibrant town centre,” Cr Schonfelder said.

“The pandemic upset the plans we had in place to lease the hall to a commercial operator. After this setback I’m pleased we’re able to renew our efforts and am thankful for the interest of the community house to explore this fresh opportunity.

“I want to thank the local community for their understanding and patience.”

Cr Heather Wellington welcomed the new opportunities.

“The Winchelsea Community House plays such an important role in connecting our community, and this proposal would allow them to build on their amazing work,” she said.

“At the same time it will be important for us to recognise that the organisation is volunteer-based and will need council’s support, financial or otherwise, so it is not adversely impacted.

“Co-locating council’s maternal and child health services and the historical society would also help reactivate this loved and valued community space as we move forward.”

The former Winchelsea Shire Hall remains available for short-term bookings. Email [email protected] or phone 5261 4606.