September 12th, 2024Town hall feasibility report goes before final council meeting

A report examining the feasibility of housing Daylesford’s public library and community multipurpose facilities in the town’s historic Town Hall will go before councillors at this month’s Hepburn Shire Council meeting.

Scheduled for Monday September 16 the ordinary meeting is the last for the current council which then enters caretaker mode until October 26.

A new council will be elected by postal ballot next month with newly elected councillors set to then to be sworn in to what will become a wardless council, in November.

 While the new shift to a wardless arrangement is creating plenty of community discussion in its own right, the future of the Daylesford Town Hall is also set to change.

Currently council officers have been working with project architects, k20 Architecture, to investigate the feasibility of refurbishing and developing the historic site to accommodate a library and multi-purpose community spaces. 

The Daylesford Town Hall was built in the 1800s and until recently housed Council chambers, offices, and hosted events.

“The project team is supported by the Project Advisory Group (PAG), which is comprised of two councillors and seven community members,” Mayor, Cr Brian Hood said.

To date, the PAG have convened on four occasions to provide input into the design.

The PAG members bring to the project professional and special interest backgrounds, as well as connections to community, to shape the design that’s hoped to ultimately best meet community needs.

Besides outlining the feasibility of locating the library and community multipurpose facilities in the Town Hall, the report to go before councillors at Monday’s meeting will also seek endorsement to proceed with design work.  

Subject to the council’s endorsement, the project team will continue to develop the design to a schematic level ahead of proposed community engagement either late this year or early next year. 

“We are also examining the Town Hall’s essential roofing works and have a tender underway,” Cr Hood said.

“The Town hall is now closed as we undertake this essential work,” said Cr Hood. 

Staff that operate from the Town Hall and the council chambers have recently relocated to leased premises at 24 Vincent Street. 

Meanwhile, those keen to know more are being directed to go online at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/daylesford-facilities