Ararat Rural City Council and Grampians Community Health have released proposed concept designs for the $15.8 million redevelopment of the A & J McDonald Centre, giving the community a first look at plans to transform the High Street buildings into an accessible community health hub.
The release of the designs builds on the organisations’ joint call for Victorian election candidates to commit funding to the project, including $450,000 to complete detailed planning and approvals.
The concepts show how the existing buildings could be refurbished and connected, retaining their distinctive character while creating more room for health services, mental health support, and community activities. The redevelopment would also bring the adjoining historic hall, closed to the public since 2014, back into use.
Proposed features include eight consulting rooms, dedicated youth and family counselling spaces, group rooms, and facilities for telehealth appointments. Lift and ramp connections would improve access throughout the buildings, while a new entry atrium would link the spaces and provide welcoming reception and waiting areas.
Ararat Rural City Council Chief Executive Officer Phuong Au said the concepts showed what the redevelopment could deliver for local people. “These designs help people picture what is possible here. They show how we can look after buildings that mean a great deal to Ararat while making them work better for our community,” Ms Au said. “We’re excited to share this next step with the community. Now we need a funding commitment to turn these plans into facilities that will serve Ararat and the surrounding district for years to come.”
The centre was first identified as the preferred location for a community health precinct in 2004. More than two decades later, Grampians Community Health continues to deliver essential services from the site, despite limited consulting space, poor accessibility, and the existing layout restricting the services that can be delivered safely and privately for modern health care.
Grampians Community Health Chief Executive Officer Greg Little said the designs responded directly to those challenges. “Our staff see the need for this redevelopment every day. We have people coming to us for support, but the building limits what we can offer and how we can offer it,” Mr Little said.
“These plans aren’t just about a better building. They’re about making sure people can get the help they need, in a safe, accessible and welcoming environment. They would also give us opportunities to bring more services together and provide support locally that we simply can’t offer in the current facilities.
“We’ve put considerable work into getting the project to this point, and we’re asking election candidates to help us take the next step.”
The proposed hub would support services including mental health care, family violence support, alcohol and other drug services, chronic disease management, and carer support, with space for additional service providers and community use.
Council and Grampians Community Health are continuing to seek a commitment to the $15.8 million redevelopment ahead of the Victorian State election. Funding for detailed design and approvals would allow the project to progress towards construction, with the released concepts providing the foundation for that next stage.
