Surf Coast Shire Council has adopted the Anglesea Community and Health Hub concept plan, which shows where all the health and community facilities will be positioned on the site.
Located on McMillan Street, the hub is home to community groups and agencies that deliver a range of services. Its ageing buildings are struggling to meet community needs, so planning is underway on a 30-year plan that meets future needs.
The concept plan includes some affordable rental housing for local workers as there is an urgent need for this in Anglesea. In 2021 Council declared a key worker accommodation crisis in recognition of how a lack of affordable accommodation was impacting the sustainability of communities.
The site will remain under Council ownership. The homes would house local workers in roles needed year-round, such as teachers, nurses and retail workers.
The concept plan was adopted following a community co-design process and broader community engagement period, in which 330 survey responses, 36 submissions and feedback from site user groups were received.
In addition 329 pro forma letters, as well as a petition with 257 signatures, opposing the inclusion of housing and changes to the precinct were provided to Council after the formal engagement period and these have also been considered.
"The hub's much-loved facilities are at the heart of Anglesea and this planning will ensure they can continue serving the community well into the future," Mayor Cr Liz Pattison said.
She said there had been strong community interest and participation in the latest engagement phase.
"Overall feedback generally supported the vision, design principles and the majority of the proposed elements of the concept plan. Plus the user groups have all expressed support for their location within the precinct."
"There has been a range of views expressed about the inclusion of some affordable rental housing to help address the local key worker accommodation crisis. We want to work with the community to make sure this is done in a way that is in keeping with the unique character of the area."
"The next step in the project will be the detailed design stage and this will involve more community engagement so that it reflects locals' aspirations."
The findings from Council's 330 survey responses include (in rounded figures):
- 82% of respondents indicated they supported/strongly supported the vision statement.
- Design principles received a high level of support, with most respondents indicating support/strong support for all eight principles (results ranged from 73% to 85%).
- The overall combined level of satisfaction across all 13 proposed elements differed considerably by age group, with 58% of people aged over 65, 81% of 45-64 year olds and 87% of people aged under 45 indicating they were satisfied.
- 52% of respondents were satisfied/very satisfied with the location of housing (43% were unsatisfied/very unsatisfied and 5% unsure).
Results varied across age groups:
- People aged under 45: 79% were satisfied/very satisfied with location of housing.
- People aged 45-64: 64% were satisfied/very satisfied with location of housing.
- People aged 65+: 30% were satisfied/very satisfied with location of housing.
- Of the proposed elements, the 'transition of Rangi Marie (Anglesea Historical Society) to housing' received the lowest rating with 48% of respondents saying they were satisfied/very satisfied (41% were unsatisfied/very unsatisfied and 11% unsure).
In response to community feedback these proposed changes have been made to the draft concept plan:
- Rangi Marie (History House) has been retained for use as History House, and housing has been removed from the land immediately around it.
- The western driveway has been slightly revised, with all other access and parking aspects to be further considered in detailed design.
- The Angair propagation shed has been relocated following their request to ensure they have sufficient space.
- Youth room facilities to be included in the new community building.
Other ideas and suggestions will be considered during the detailed design phase.
An implementation progress report will be presented to Council no later than July 2025.
Council received a Victorian Government Investment Fast Track funding grant to support Anglesea Hub planning work.
