The City of Stonnington has resolved to proceed with the divestment of the Council-owned property at 47 Earl Street, Windsor, following a comprehensive community engagement process and consideration by Councillors.
The site, formerly home to the Hornbrook Children's Centre, has been vacant since January 2022 after the service was temporarily relocated while Council assessed the long-term future of the property. Subsequent reviews confirmed that re-establishing the site as a contemporary children's centre or repurposing it for alternative community use would require prohibitive capital investment and would not deliver the greatest community benefit when compared with other priority sites.
Stonnington Mayor Cr Melina Sehr said Council understood the strong community interest in the site and the emotions attached to its former use.
"We recognise that this site holds meaning for many people in the local community, particularly families who previously used the service," Cr Sehr said.
"That feedback was an important part of Council's deliberations and was carefully considered alongside the practical and financial realities of the property."
Council undertook a six-week community engagement process in accordance with section 114 of the Local Government Act 2020, receiving 33 submissions, the majority from local Windsor residents. Feedback raised a range of matters including the loss of childcare services, neighbourhood character, planning considerations, traffic and parking impacts, and opportunities for alternative community or open space uses.
Based on this process, Council determined there is no longer a demonstrable and ongoing need for a childcare service at this location. The former Hornbrook service was successfully integrated into Princes Close Early Years Service in 2022, where Council continues to deliver early years services in a more viable and sustainable manner.
Cr Sehr said the decision was focused on ensuring Council assets deliver the greatest possible benefit to the broader community.
"By reinvesting the proceeds from the sale into community services infrastructure in the western end of the municipality, we are ensuring this asset continues to deliver value for current and future residents," she said.
Council has resolved that the property be sold through a transparent public sales process. Net proceeds from the sale will be held in the Future Fund Reserve and reinvested into capital investment for community services infrastructure.
An independent valuation will inform the sale process, with the Chief Executive Officer authorised to determine an acceptable sale price in line with valuation advice. Subject to necessary preparatory works, marketing of the property is expected to commence in 2026.
Council remains committed to engaging with the community on future infrastructure priorities and to making decisions that balance community feedback, financial responsibility and long-term public value for Stonnington residents.
