Community
6 September, 2024
Have your say on Brierly Hub
CONCEPT plans have been released for a proposed Brierly Sports and Community Hub.
Warrnambool City Council has released concept drawings for the proposal, which were developed following extensive community engagement in June this year.
The consultation found the community wanted the Brierly facilities to include compliant sporting change rooms and club rooms; a multi-use space for community and hire purposes; space for health and community support services; and space for child play groups and parent groups to meet.
Warrnambool mayor Cr Ben Blain said it was an exciting proposal.
“The concepts look great and what we’re proposing will be an inclusive, multi-function space supporting a variety of community activities designed to be fully accessible, visible, open and welcoming for all members of the community,” Cr Blain said.
“It also presents an opportunity for commercial activation to deliver outreach allied health services.
“It will cost an estimated $14.6 million and this is the cost estimate for 2027 which we think is the timeframe we’re looking at for construction.”
Cr Blain believes the timeframe will give council time to advocate for the project at a time when external funding opportunities are limited and keenly contested.
“This is a project that will require funding from other levels of government to complement a contribution by council,” Cr Blain said.
“We’re keen to realise the full potential at Brierly Reserve for the area’s growing population and we’ve got some momentum with the recent completion of the first stage of redevelopment that included work at the Eastern Oval to create two soccer pitches, a cricket pitch, new lighting and fencing.”
This work was done with funding of $1million from the state government, which was matched by council.
“We now want to hear what the community thinks of the concepts and the key features of the proposed hub,” Cr Blain said.
“Go to yoursaywarrnambool.com to let us know what you think.”
