Wonthaggi cultural precinct a step closer

Cultural precinct a step closer

31/8/2018

By Catherine Watson

THE State Government has identified the McBride campus of the Wonthaggi Secondary College as the site for a cultural precinct incorporating a regional gallery, principal library and performing arts and convention venue.

Education Minister and Deputy Premier James Merlino was in Wonthaggi yesterday to announce that the site would be handed over to the council to manage when the senior campus moves in 2020.

A Bass Coast cultural precinct is a long-held dream but the announcement gives it official credence.

In a prime position on the edge of the CBD, and opposite the council offices, the McBride Avenue site has been in the council’s sights for many years.

It’s listed in the council’s current advocacy list to government as potentially accommodating a regional gallery, a principal library, a performing arts and conference venue, shops and open space.

A 2011 business case estimated the cost of developing a cultural precinct development at $37 million with the opportunity to add $3.7 million to the gross regional product and provide $2.3 million of additional community benefits.

At this stage no funding has been allocated for the project.

Mr Merlino said the school’s previous sports and assemblies space – Webb’s Shed, in McKenzie Street – would also be transformed into a community space.

The college is due to vacate the site in 2020 when the new senior campus opens at the southern end of McKenzie Street, next to the Bass Coast Specialist School.

8 Comments

rosemary loughnan

31/8/2018 09:09:03 am

love this development - cant wait to see it all unfold

Neil Rankine

31/8/2018 10:30:15 am

It's been difficult to get a firm commitment over the years, but this government seem to be genuinely interested in community/spaces. To commit to Webb's shed which has great potential as community spaces too is fantastic, so many groups short of space!

John Mutsaers link

31/8/2018 10:34:35 am

This is such good news. This will give Wonthaggi the status it deserves. Along with all the exciting ideas such as "place-making", Town Square, Lighting the rail trail and the sculpture park concept, Wonthaggi will certainly become an impressive “go-to place”
The arts precinct will enhance our community’s; Identity - Meaning - Connection & sense of Belonging.
Congratulations to our Major, Pam Rothfield, her council and staff.

Kay Setches

31/8/2018 12:16:20 pm

I know Im rusted on Labor! But....how good and generous is the Andrews Government. I was Minister for Lands in the Cain/Kirner Governments, and this is exactly the type of land sites that I had to Identify as being available for sale with proceeds going back into the Treasury. Wonthaggi needs such a precinct, and I am overjoyed that Jordan Crugnale the ALP Candidate was able to convince the Government to hand this land to The Bass Shire Council. I remember that Kennett Liberal Government closed hundreds of schools across Victoria and sold off the land, usually against the wishes of the local community. Go Jordan!

Cr Geoff Ellis

1/9/2018 08:01:54 am

Great news, of course, and our impatience to start realising the community's aspirations is extreme.
Just to clarify a couple of points:

Webb's Shed - There was a difference in what was said at the announcement and what was written in the Government press release - Webb's Shed will be retained by the Wonthaggi High School to run the Alternate Pathways program and that facility will also be made available for community use outside of school times.

Library? There is a lot of discussion to be had about the best location for our Library. If people consider the difference between 'The Library' when it was the Old Post Office compared to today's site in the middle of town we can see that it's all about location and amenity. Plenty of room to build a state of the art library if the political will is there to pursue the funding.
Imagine that as a focus for aspirational Wonthaggi/Bass Coast.

Another point - what about using the buildings for crisis accommodation and amenity for homeless people - a couple of showers and basic overnight camping/dorm accommodation? Bert would have loved it.

Jennifer Boer

1/9/2018 05:56:43 pm

it is indeed a lovely concept, but would it be so terrible for Wonthaggi's secondry students to retain a venerable red brick site they could be proud to hold in the history. it's unnerving when one loses the site of a former school, as I did when my pebble brick alma mater was jeffed in the 90s for a housing development. isn't this telling our students they don't deserve a wonderful site? Why not build a marvellous purpose- built library and cultural centre on the east side of town near the art gallery??

Kay Setches

1/9/2018 06:16:58 pm

I know Im rusted on ALP, But how good is the Andrews ALP Government. I was Minister for Lands in Cain Government and any education or land from other departments became surplus to Government requirements, I had the job of ensuring it was cleared for sale so that money gained was placed back into treasury. Very good work by Jordan Crugnale ALP Candidate Bass (an artist herself)for convincing the Andrews Government to give the land to the Bass Coast Shire so they can redevelop for community purposes. WE can all remember the Kennett Liberal Government that sold hundreds of school after he forced them to close. The land is right in the centre of Wonthaggi and will be great as a arts precinct. Does this mean the Shire can now plan to exhibit the very special original paintings in their possession?

Mel Hayes

2/9/2018 09:17:51 am

This is fantastic news and the first step in developing a truely culturally dymamic precinct. Lets look to some of the outstanding examples of precinct renewal through cultural/ community/ business/ residential mix that already exist (Canberra is one that comes to mind) and make it work for our region. We'll still need lots of money and community on board advocating. But a great first step.

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Cultural precinct a step closer

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