The City of Greater Bendigo has received a $495,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program to develop a new community hub at the Woodvale Recreation Reserve.
The project will include the construction of a new, multi-purpose community hub building with integrated public toilets, kitchenette, storage and meeting spaces and a separate storage shed.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Jennifer Alden said the funding is exciting news for the Woodvale community who identified the project as a key priority in the Woodvale Community Plan, with the community also contributing funds towards the project.
“The current facilities at the Woodvale Recreation Reserve have served the community well for many years but they no longer meet current standards or the community’s needs so this is fantastic news all round and the City is very grateful to the Australian Government for supporting this important rural project in Greater Bendigo,” Cr Alden said.
“Community hubs like this one are important for community wellbeing because they support people to connect with one another, to participate in events and other activities, and to connect with service providers and services.”
Local resident and Chair of the Woodvale Recreation Reserve Committee of Management Kerry Errington said the Woodvale community is both excited and thankful to receive this funding through the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program.
“The Woodvale community has been passionately advocating for this community hub for nearly a decade after the need for it was identified through community planning and consultation processes,” Ms Errington said.
“There is broad community support for the project. The Woodvale community has worked hard to raise funds towards the project and we are delighted we will soon have a new facility that will be more accessible and able to support so many different uses.
“This new community hub will make Woodvale’s future event brighter and support the wellbeing of current and future generations. My fellow committee members and I can’t wait to be able to share it and its beautiful bushland setting located on Dja Dja Wurrung country with even more people.”
The project will be managed by the City of Greater Bendigo with construction set to commence in early 2021.
The Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program supports jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
