A $50 million new community services hub project has taken its next step after Melton Council voted on its masterplan report.
The Cobblebank Community Services Hub aims to provide a state-of-the-art space for a range of community, allied health, and education services in one area to help address critical service shortages across the municipality as well as providing office space for commercial tenants.
Three building design options were presented as part of the Cobblebank Community Services Hub master plan report, with a six-storey building estimated to cost $53,770,000 being the preferred option.
Construction of the hub was originally planned to begin last year, however, council indicated that the Expression of Interest process in 2022 received overwhelming interest from organisations and as a result, council reviewed the size and scope of the building.
Council now plans for construction to commence either this year or next, and have the facility operational by 2026.
The report, detailing the hub’s progress came before council at a meeting on February 26.
Councillor Bob Turner said the project has “been a while coming“ but it’s good to see it moving forward.
“It’s good to see something happening in the near future there which is going to be badly needed,“ he said.
The 5 Star Green Star building received interest from 18 prominent community service providers during the EOI process and has received “substantial interest” from 30 commercial businesses.
It will provide an accessible and affordable space to deliver important services like mental health and family services, as well as culturally specific services.
The hub will be located within the growing Cobblebank Metropolitan Activity Centre on the corner of Hollingsworth and Stadium Drives, close to the Cobblebank Stadium, the future Melton Hospital site and the Cobblebank Train Station.
Council has secured $4 million from the state government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, and another application to the state’s Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution has been submitted.
Melton mayor Kathy Majdklik said the Cobblebank Community Services Hub will be a state-of-the-art facility designed to meet the growing needs of the Melton municipality.
“This project ensures critical services can be accessed locally, promotes employment, supports business and sets up an ongoing revenue stream for council to build on,” she said.
