Moira Shire Council CEO Matthew Morgan said council is committed to getting the project right and delivering a precinct which will serve the community well in both the short and long term.
“The overall precinct will be delivered in two stages and with the focus being on delivery of Stage 1 now. We are hoping to engage the community in detailed planning for Stage 2,” Mr Morgan said.
Stage 1 of the project is the construction of a new library adjacent to the existing Yarrawonga Town Hall building and the creation of a gallery space/foyer, meeting rooms and a café/commercial kitchen space.
Stage 2 of the project will be informed by the workings of an advisory group.
Council is creating the group to help refine the future use cases for the town hall itself and resolve the necessary upgrades required to preserve the building but also to activate it as a contemporary community event space.
This will include understanding the need for food and beverage areas within the town hall, as well as how other spaces within the building can be activated for a range of uses.
“There is no doubt this project has had its historical challenges, and as a council we must manage that,” Mr Morgan said. “This is why we’re having a reset on this project. We are clarifying scope, resetting the budget, clearing barriers, and instigating some processes to ensure better planning for stage two of the project which relates to the town hall itself.
“In order for us to effectively deliver this project, we must be very clear about the project scope and deliverables for both stages of the project, particularly stage one which is currently underway. However, we want to clearly define community expectations for the future use of the town hall itself as an events and performance venue within the broader precinct and we are establishing an advisory committee to help us with that process.”
“Operationally, our primary focus is on getting works happening and clearing barriers to ensure construction starts on stage one.
Stage one’s construction of the new library is expected to recommence this week.
Chair Administrator John Tanner AM welcomed the update on the Yarrawonga Library, Events and Performance Precinct Project, stating that it provides clarity, certainty and transparency.
“I look forward to seeing works progressing on stage one of this project – the library – very soon,” Mr Tanner said.
“The Yarrawonga community have been waiting a long time for the delivery of a contemporary library facility, which is a key part of the overall Yarrawonga Library, Events and Performance Precinct.
“The other important component of this precinct is the Yarrawonga Town Hall. I welcome the establishment of the Town Hall Future Use Advisory Group, and call for all interested community members to express their interest in joining this group to advise on dynamic future uses of the space.”
Council is calling for nominations from interested community members to join the Town Hall Future Use Advisory Group which will meet bi-monthly over the next 12 months.
This group will be facilitated by an independent consultant and provide input and feedback to council on the future use for the Town hall, including the facilities needed within the town hall to accommodate those uses.
To express your interest in joining the town hall Future Use Advisory Group, please visit: https://www.moira.vic.gov.au/Have-your-say/Yarrawonga-Town-Hall-Future-Use-Advisory-Group-EOI
