Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Councillor Despi O'Connor, Deputy Mayor Councillor Sarah Race, Nepean Ward Councillor Hugh Fraser, Cerberus Ward Councillor Lisa Dixon, Red Hill Ward Councillor David Gill, Briars Ward Councillor Steve Holland and Seawinds Ward Councillors Antonella Celi and Debra Mar today joined Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane and Member for Nepean Chris Brayne at the project site for the highly anticipated Flinders Community Hub.
In September 2020, the Shire received $2.15 million towards the Flinders Civic Hall redevelopment through the State Government's expanded Growing Suburbs Fund. In 2019/20, Council allocated $200,000 to progress the design phase and will match the $2.15 million funding providing a total budget of $4.5M for this exciting development.
The current Flinders Civic Hall (located at Cook Street, Flinders) was first opened in 1966 and is in poor condition and in need of significant improvement.
After extensive consultation with key stakeholders and the community in 2019, Council resolved to provide the Flinders community with a new and improved building to meet the current and future needs of its users.
The facility will be home to a wide variety of community groups and services including: Flinders Art Show, Flinders Arts Group, Flinders Community Association, Flinders Lions, Flinders Probus and Flinders RSL. Classes for older adult exercise, pilates, Yoga classes and other activities.
Some redesign features to be included in the new Flinders Community Hub are:
- Multipurpose hall with elevated stage and designated storage area and unisex change room facilities.
- Large terrace/porch providing better connections to the outdoor precinct area.
- Two multipurpose purposes for a range of community programs and activities.
- Improved all accessibility inclusions including a dual access Changing Places amenity (the first of its kind on the Peninsula), all access ramps at the entrance, inside the facility and throughout the precinct and carparking.
It is anticipated upgrades to the services and utilities will occur in early April 2021, with the main construction commencing in late September 2021. Project completion is currently expected in October 2023.
To stay up to date on the project progress, visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/flinderscivichall.
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Despi O'Connor:
"With the amount of vital services and support being delivered for residents from the facility, we are committed to ensuring this new community hub will provide better access and is useable for many years to come."
Quotes attributable to Red Hill Ward Councillor David Gill:
"This project is a welcome improvement for the Flinders community."
"Updating the hall but keeping it in tune with village character is a great outcome. The hall will have more capacity to meet the needs of local groups."
Photo:
Front row L-R: Member for Nepean Chris Brayne, Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane and Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Cr Despi O'Connor.
Back row L-R: Cr Mar, Cr Gill, Cr Celi, Cr Dixon, Cr Fraser, Deputy Mayor Cr Race and Cr Holland.
