The Bass Coast community are easily able to hire event and meeting spaces at the new cultural centre, Berninneit, with the launch of a new online booking system for council venues.
As of February 19 bookings can be made through Bass Coast Shire Council's online booking portal to hire parts of the landmark centre in Cowes, as well as other council-owned and managed venues.
Inspired by the Bunurong word meaning 'gather together', Berninneit is an innovative community-driven, Passivhaus designed building that opened in November as a living cultural centre, bringing together performance, visual arts and story gathering.
Berninneit provides several varied spaces for hire, including meeting rooms, co-working space, small, medium and large community spaces, a theatre and cinema auditorium, art gallery, museum and a leased space for the provision of library services.
Community venues across Bass Coast, including nine community halls with kitchen facilities, the Inverloch Community Hub and meeting room spaces in Grantville, Newhaven and Wonthaggi, are also available for hire through the online portal.
Bass Coast Mayor Clare Le Serve said community access to Berninneit and other council venues was vital in building on Bass Coast's great sense of community, and the online system makes it easier to view availability and book spaces for hire.
"By its very name, Berninneit means 'gather together', so it is appropriate that this local treasure is open for our community as a space to collaborate, share and enjoy," Cr Le Serve said.
"Community venues are important in fostering community connectivity and engagement whether it be through casual group activities, indoor sport and exercise, the arts, education or health services.
"Council has worked hard to streamline the fees to make Berninneit and other venues across our municipality more accessible for locals and community groups wanting space to hire."
Council provides standard and subsidised rates for all community venues and spaces. Subsidised rates are half of the standard rate.
To check venue availability and make bookings, visit Bookable, Council's new venue booking system, at https://basscoast.bookable.net.au/
