A group of Macedon locals have banded together in a bid to convert a council-owned building into a community hub.
The former maternal and child health centre at 47 Victoria Street was earmarked to be sold by council to fund refurbishments to Macedon’s ovals and other upgrades, until lobbying by the group gained them a moratorium on the sale.
Spokesperson Imi Rabl said the group argued that the short-term gain of a sale and the subsequent loss of the asset was short sighted and not what the community wanted.
“Examples of what we can envisage is a meeting space for community groups; homework clubs for teens; work-from-home alternative spaces for adults; home to local farmers market and as a space for allied health services provided by Macedon Ranges Health,” Imi said.
“Kyneton recently secured such a place at the old primary school site.
“A community hub is how we envisage the property to be used but residents 50 years down the track may have need for it in quite a different way.”
Imi said they now had six months to form an incorporated association.
“We need to display a strong committee that’s well managed and highlight the community’s visions for the property.
“We must write a statement of finance which includes a business plan and funding.”
A community consultation meeting will be held on July 22 at 2pm at Macedon Primary School in the John Curtain Building.
“Two meetings have already occurred where an initial group of around 30 residents met to understand what the council has requested of us to be considered,” Imi said.
“We now need the wider group of residents to share their skills, add a voice and help mobilise and support the association.”
