Community hubs are flexible multipurpose buildings that can be used for a range of community activities.

They are important for community wellbeing because they support people to connect with one another and service providers and participate in events and other activities.

Community hubs are a cost effective way of providing community activity spaces and services.

Community hubs are characterised by:

• Being multi-purpose
• Able to support many different community needs and interests
• Being accessible to and inclusive of all community members
• Supporting ‘joined up’ service access for community members

Victoria's Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy recently released by Infrastructure Victoria for public comment indicates that community hubs are consistent with future infrastructure planning and development strategic directions.

The Strathdale Community Hub will be a place in which the community may gather, connect, learn and play.

The upgrade of Strathdale Community Hub was identified as a community priority through a broad consultation process, which indicated the current building was ‘tired’ and no longer meeting community needs or expectations due to outdated design and failing infrastructure.

The upgrade of the existing building will maintain the facility as a highly used and valued community space that will meet the community’s growing requirements.

The concept plans suggest the following development features:

• Spaces that are flexible and multi-purpose to support broad use
• More natural light and improved energy efficiency
• Improved accessibility, including to technology
• Provision for a future café
• Strong connections with the surrounding park lands

The City of Greater Bendigo has worked with groups who currently hire the building and architects to develop the concept plans. These plans have also considered the information received from the first community consultation.

The Strathdale Community Centre was constructed and opened in the 1970’s by the former Shire of Strathfieldsaye. The large hall was a later addition to the centre that was officially opened in 1985 by then shire president Cr M A Dreschler, the architect being WV Mitchell.

It became the property of the City of Greater Bendigo following the Victorian Council amalgamations in 1994.

The City of Greater Bendigo owns the building and has responsibility for its ongoing maintenance. The City appointed the Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub as the manager of the facility in July 2017.

Yes. The hub is available for hire for private, community, corporate events and functions by contacting the manager of the facility - Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub on 5411 2515 or info@bnh.net.au for further information.

Currently there are 33 community organisations using the facility, such as:

• Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub
• Strathdale Senior Citizens
• Bendigo Y Service Club
• Bendigo Calisthenics Club

The City's Immunisation Services use the hall to offer their immunisation program in a COVID-safe environment.

The facility is also regularly hired for a variety of personal, community and corporate events and functions.

The City wants to know what the community think about the draft concept plan:

• What do you like about the concept plans?
• Will the upgrades support your needs and the needs of the community?
• Are there ways the design could be improved?
• Do you have any concerns about the project?

The project will require funding sought from government grants and future Council budget allocations. The construction work will be staged over a number of years.

Hire fees will help offset the community hub running costs. Hire fees are generally split into community rates and commercial rates. This split is designed to make use affordable for volunteer or community-membership based groups who generally have limited income streams.