A cooperative to support the old Kyneton Primary School site being in public ownership and community control has been established.
At a recent meeting to garner support for what has become known as The Town Square project, 70 people signed up to become inaugural members of the cooperative and eight candidates stood for five board positions.
A ballot saw the following elected to the board: Rob Bakes, Huntly Barton, Peter Henderson, Margot McDonald and Viveka Simpson.
“The elected board has excellent business credentials with all of them either local business owners or with close involvement in family businesses,” Rob Bakes said.
“I am confident that this board has the talent and commitment to make a financial and social success of the Town Square project envisaged in the community’s project plan for the old school site.”
Mr Bakes said the project was now at what he described as ‘crunch’ point’.
He said ideas for use of the site and their backing were in place.
“All we need is the decision from the state government to get going.”
However, Mr Bakes said the government had initiated a further consultation process about the services, organisations or activities people would like at the site.
This consultation is not due to be finalised until after the state election in November.
“We are at a loss to know why government thinks another study is required,” Mr Bakes said. “But we do appreciate that the advertisements calling for input state clearly that the site will be kept in public ownership.”
