Over the past 26 years, the Port Phillip EcoCentre has grown to deliver education, programs and services to as many as 19,000 participants annually. This growth meant the original, much-loved building was no longer meeting demand or fit for purpose.
This is why we teamed up with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to deliver an updated, functional and sustainable building that is now complete. The $6.7 million project was made possible by the Victorian Government matching Council's contribution of $3.35 million.
Since the project's inception, Josh Burns, the Labor member for Macnamara, has pledged a further $400,000 to the project. This contribution will support the new building's fit-out for inclusive education, science, and community programs.
The new building will enable the EcoCentre to continue its great work, transforming our community's understanding of wildlife, waterways and climate change. The centre is also expected to achieve a six-star green building rating - a certification that is designed for and then awarded retrospectively, after the building has been in operation for over a year.
Council has supported the EcoCentre since it began in 1999, and so we are very proud to have been part of this exciting new chapter for this amazing organisation.
The benefits
This new building will provide benefits to the EcoCentre and the thousands of community members who use its programs and spaces, including:
- an improved look and feel that balances modern and heritage elements
- a large collection of community spaces that together will be three times the capacity of the original facilities, within the same built footprint
- improved visitor and worker experience, including a reception and separated office and community spaces
- the inclusion of Australia's first Citizen Science Lab
- a building that meets modern accessibility standards, featuring a lift and accessible toilet
- sustainable design features - the building is designed to produce at least as much energy as it consumes, while keeping water usage to a minimum, featuring:
- a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structure with a highly insulated thermal envelope
- fully electric-powered facilities, with solar panels and energy storage onsite for minimal reliance on the grid.
Public access and community events
While the building is complete, it's not quite ready for public walk-in access.
Those wishing to get an early look at the building can do so through Open House Melbourne's program. There will be tours of the building on Sunday 27 July - bookings are essential.
Alternatively, the EcoCentre is organising several community events in August and beyond:
- Womindjeka Garden Planting - Friday 1 August, 10.00 am to 12.00 pm - subject to change, check EcoCentre website closer to the date
- Let's Strain the Drains! Round 2 - Wednesday 6 August, 10.00 am to 1.00 pm
- Share & Swap Shop - Saturday 9 August, 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm
- Repair Café and Bike Kitchen - Sunday 10 August, 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
- Learning with the Land, First Nations exhibition and artist talks - Saturday 16 August, 3.00 to 5.00 pm.
To stay up to date, we recommend visiting their events website Events - Port Phillip EcoCentre.
