Photos
Batesford Reserve Map
Looking forward to the new Batesford Reserve Youth and Community Hub are from left: Elizabeth Sinclair, Waverley U3A; Bob Stensholt, Member for Burwood; Jeff Herd, Manager Ashburton Ashwood Chadstone (AAC) Neighbourhood Renewal; Anna Burke, Member for Chisholm; Eileen Mosden, Co-ordinator Amaroo Neighbourhood Centre; Gregg Nicholls, CEO MonashLink; Monash Mayor Cr Paul Klisaris; Lucille Horo, Chairperson AAC Public Tenants Group; Bill Burns, President Waverley U3A; Arthur Larsen, Life Member AAC Public Tenants Group; Olivia Matthee, Gateway LLEN; and Margaret Bird, Treasurer AAC Public Tenants Group.
Batesford Reserve Youth and Community Hub
It's all systems go for an exciting multi-million project to build a state-of-the-art youth and community hub at Batesford Reserve.
COMMUNITY UPDATE - Answering Some of Your Questions from the Information Sessions
Council's goal is to provide 'local services for local people' and a 'one-stop shop' for health, youth, family and support services for the local community.
The design of the Hub will be modern, environmentally sustainable and accessible, and it will complement the existing basketball stadium and Jordanville Community Centre at Batesford Reserve.
The community will also see improvements to landscaping, lighting and walking paths throughout Batesford Reserve as part of the project.
Information Sessions
Thanks to everyone who attended the Community Information Sessions for the Hub project at Jordanville Community Centre on August 13 and 16, 2009.
COMMUNITY UPDATE - Answering Some of Your Questions from the Information Sessions
For more information about the new Hub, contact Fee Harrison at Monash Council on 9518 3526.
What services and programs will be based at the Hub?
- MonashLink Community Health Service
- Monash Youth and Family Services
- Waverley University of the Third Age
- Gateway Local Learning Employment Network
- Ashburton, Ashwood and Chadstone Public Tenants Group
Amaroo and Power Neighbourhood Houses, Waverley Adult Literacy and other community groups will be able to use meeting rooms and new IT Lab at the Hub to run programs and activities.
What are some of the benefits of the Hub project?
- The community will benefit from having a range of community, health and family services housed under the one roof.
- Residents will no longer have to travel out of the area or long distances to access vital community, health and family services.
- Young people will benefit from the support of a full time youth worker at the Hub.
- Older people will have extra opportunities for affordable learning with the University of the Third Age.
- Residents of all ages will benefit from Neighbourhood Houses being able to utilise the Hub's meeting rooms to expand their programs and activities.
- The design of the building will be sensitive to the existing reserve landscape, environmentally sound, user friendly and comfortable.
- Batesford Reserve will be enhanced with improved landscaping, better lighting and more walkways.
- The project will not affect the reserve's current dogs off leash area.
- An improved community space between the basketball stadium, the Jordanville Community Centre and the new Hub will be created.
- The project is fully funded and will be fully operational by early 2011.
- The project has the support of key community groups and agencies including Neighbourhood Renewal.
Funding and timing
Funding for the new Hub has been made possible with a $4million Federal Government grant, together with $1.3million from the State Government and $740,000 in cash and in-kind contribution from Council.
A condition of the Federal funding is that construction must be ready to proceed within six months. This has resulted in Council, community groups, local agencies and neighbourhood houses working together around the clock to make the most of this once-off funding opportunity.
The Hub is expected to be fully operation in early 2011.
What's in a name?
The project is being referred to as the Batesford Reserve Youth and Community Hub however it is important to acknowledge that an official name for the new building has not been decided upon. It may very well be that we hold a community naming competition in the months ahead.
Further information
For more information about the new Hub, contact Fee Harrison at Monash Council on 9518 3526 or email fee@monashvic.gov.au.
Hub Views
The new Batesford Reserve Youth and Community Hub is one of the biggest and most exciting projects for the community for many years. Here's what some of our local leaders had to say about it:"This a terrific example of Council and the community having a vision and working to achieve it." Cr Joy Banerji.
"Amaroo Neighbourhood Centre is really pleased with the Hub because it will extend our services to the community." Eileen Mosden, Co-ordinator, Amaroo Neighbourhood Centre.
"We are looking forward to the new community hub and having a permanent home for the tenants group. We are all working for a positive community and the Hub signifies this." Arthur Larsen, Life Member Ashburton, Ashwood and Chadstone Tenants Group.
"U3A is looking forward to the new Hub as an opportunity to find a permanent home, enjoy new facilities and welcome new members from the local community. We are also looking forward to working with the other tenants and forming new partnerships." Bill Burns, President Waverley U3A.
"The Board and staff of MonashLink Community Health Service are excited by the opportunity to be involved in the development of the Batesford Reserve Hub. We have worked hard in partnership with communities in the local area over the last few years, particularly through the Neighbourhood Renewal Program. This new centre will allow us to provide services closer to those who need them, and to strengthen our links with the local community. We commend the City of Monash for taking the initiative to develop this exciting new community centre." Gregg Nicholls, CEO Monashlink.
Updated: 11 September 2009
[ Up: Community Centres ]