Surf Coast Shire Council will consider the concept plan for the Anglesea Community and Health Hub at Tuesday night's (23 July) Council meeting.
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 early planning is underway on a 30-year plan that meets service needs.
There was strong interest and participation in the latest engagement phase, and overall feedback from community and stakeholders strongly supports the vision, design principles and the majority of the proposed elements of the concept plan. Also, the user groups have all expressed support for their location within the precinct.
The proposed 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 would remain under Council ownership. The proposed homes would house local workers in roles needed year-round, such as teachers, nurses and retail workers.
The concept plan is a basic and preliminary layout which shows where all the facilities would be positioned on the site. If endorsed by Council, this would be followed by a detailed design stage when specific details are developed.
The concept plan was developed in consultation with a community co-design group and follows a four-week engagement period in which people could provide feedback on the draft plan.
Council received feedback via the completion of 330 surveys, 36 submissions and direct feedback received from site user groups during the engagement period. An additional 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 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 relocation of Angair propagation shed.
- Youth room facilities to be included in the new community building.
Other ideas and suggestions are proposed to be considered during the detailed design phase.
The Council meeting starts at 6pm and will be held at the Anglesea Memorial Hall. Anyone can attend in-person or livestream the meeting.
Council received a Victorian Government Investment Fast Track funding grant to support Anglesea Hub planning work.
