Have your say about our concept plans for this community centre
Following the Bunyip Complex Fires in March 2019, community members impacted by the fires advocated strongly for a new community centre in Garfield North to help them in their recovery. They needed a place for new and existing community groups to meet, for events to be held in, and to foster social connections.
Council recognised this need and responded by applying for funding to help build the centre with user group support.
We’re pleased to confirm that the grant application was successful – the Victorian Government has committed $1.3 million from its Growing Suburbs Fund to help build the community centre. Council is putting a further $1 million towards the project.
The new multipurpose community facility, located at Cannibal Creek Reserve, Garfield North, will be available for existing user groups as well the local community.
As part of Council’s successful grant submission, concept plans for the community centre were prepared. We'd like to hear your views about the concept plans before 30 June 2022.
Impacts of disasters on affected individuals and communities can be profound, long-lasting and life changing. The Garfield North Community Centre project is one part of a long-term, multilayered social support and community development process to support the recovery of individuals and the community in townships including Garfield North, Tonimbuk, Bunyip North and Tynong North.
Community centre features
Facility feature |
Description |
Information and ideas you might want to share to help shape the final design of the community centre |
Social room |
Room to cater for 100 people Furniture. fixtures and equipment to be flexible and moveable. |
How might you use this room?
|
Storage |
A storeroom big enough to store chairs and tables
Will also include a cleaners’ cupboard and electrical storage cupboard |
What are your group’s storage requirements? |
Kitchen |
Suitable for heating and serving pre-prepared food
A servery into the social room and verandah to be included |
What are your group’s catering requirements? |
Meeting room/office |
For up to 10 people and including furniture, fixtures and equipment |
What are your committee’s requirements for this space? For example, how many committee members do you have?
Would you use a white board or display board? What other equipment would you like this space to have?
|
Amenities |
Unisex toilets One fully accessible facility One ambulant accessible facility |
|
Spectator cover / veranda |
3 metres wide around whole building for spectators to shelter Includes stair entry and all-abilities ramp access
|
How can this building improve spectator viewing of your activity?
|
Landscaping |
Basic planting that’s sensitive to environment and maintenance requirements |
|
Car parking |
Small car parking area, including one accessible space |
What areas do you currently use, and can we support any improvements (within our budget constraints)? |
Signs |
Internal signs to help people find their way around the centre e.g. location of toilets, meeting room names.
External signs as required by project partners |
|
View Concept Plan
Here is the proposed floor plan (concept). For more detail about the site location and building elevations or to zoom in on the plans please open the Concept Plan_Floor & Elevations pdf from the Document Library on the right.
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FAQs
FAQs:
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Answers to questions that have been raised with us so far:
Location
Does the building have to be in Cannibal Creek Reserve?
The building does not have to be in this reserve. However, an alternative location would need to meet the needs of the modular building and be located within the same community as part of the funding requirements. The location would also need to support permit requirements for the final design.
Design & Construction
Can the size of the building be altered; can it be made smaller?
Yes, we may be able to reduce the size of the overall building if that is what stakeholders such as user groups and community tell us.
Can the large area be designed to be split by a folding wall into two spaces?
Yes, dependent on budget we can investigate installing a folding wall in the social room.
Can a double sliding door be placed in the western wall?
Yes, dependent on budget we can investigate a sliding door on the western wall
Can internal spaces be changed – larger cleaners room, larger kitchen and storage room if the total space doesn’t alter?
Yes, dependent on budget we can investigate a larger cleaners room, larger kitchen and storage room, however the overall space cannot be made larger.
Will the building include off grid capability? Solar power and battery? Will it be able to be used during power outage with a generator?
This is not currently within the scope of works. We can investigate this further if the budget allows.
Will tank water be available for grey water options? How large will the tanks be? Where would the tanks and pump be located?
This is not currently within the scope of works. We can investigate this further if the budget allows.
How will the space be heated and cooled?
Heating and cooling will most likely be using split system air conditioners, however these details will be finalised during the design process
Will landscaping to the area be included?
Yes, there is an allocation in the project budget for landscaping.
How many people will the building cater for?
The preliminary designs allow for up to 100 people within the social room.
Safety & Accessibility
The existing plan impacts the disabled mount ramp beside the Williams arena and may impact access to the main arena for trucks. Can the build avoid impacting areas like this?
Accessibility is extremely important; we will design the new building to suit the existing space enhancing accessibility.
Will the building be set up with sprinkler system – for bushfire situations.
The BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating for the building will determine requirements such as sprinkler systems. This is yet to be determined.
Will external lighting and car park lighting be included?
Yes, there will be some external lighting and carpark lighting included in the project. Details will be finalised during the design process.
How will potential vandalism be managed?
Council will consider Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to discourage vandalism.
Construction impacts
How much of the reserve will be closed while the build takes place? When and for how long?
The building contractor will determine the construction site area (area to be fenced off) prior to construction. The project timeline indicates the Design and Construction Contractor will be appointed late 2022 and the build will take place from April 2023 and should be completed by January 2024. We will continue to communicate with the Reserve Committee and user groups regarding the build timeline and impact to the reserve.
Furniture and Fittings
Will furniture be included in the build?
Yes, there is an allocation in the project budget for furniture, fixtures and equipment.This will include tables, chairs, pinboards, kitchen equipment, AV equipment and other items within the allocated budget.
Maintenance
Who will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep and will there be any financial support for this?
Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP) , Council and the Reserve Committee of Management will work together with user groups and the community to establish a facility management model that best fits the use of the new centre.
Parking
How many parking spaces will there be and where will they be located? Will there be disabled parking spaces?
Yes, parking, including disabled parking will be provided. Details will be finalised during the detailed design process.
About the project
The $2.3 million project will be jointly funded by the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and Cardinia Shire Council’s Capital Works Program.
The project has come about due to a lack of adequate community meeting spaces to serve the Garfield North community and surrounding areas. The proposed site is located within Cannibal Creek Reserve, which covers over 25 acres of bushland, walks, equestrian arenas, and activities area. The reserve is Crown land and managed by a DELWP-appointed community Committee of Management.
Currently, the only facilities at the reserve are a stand-alone canteen, small pony club shed and a public toilet block which is locked when not in use. There are currently no indoor facility for the Committee of Management and existing reserve user groups to hold committee meetings, social events, or to remain dry in inclement weather.
Similarly, there are several other community groups in Garfield North and surrounds which also have no appropriate place to hold committee meetings and events. There are other groups who are also interested in providing programs and activities at the centre to meet community need.
This issue of lack of facilities and places for social connection was magnified in the wake of the Bunyip Complex Fires, which occurred on 1 March 2019 when several bushfires commenced in and around the Bunyip State Park due to lightning strikes, and eventually joined to form one large fire impacting several communities in the area, including Garfield North, Tonimbuk, Nar Nar Goon North and Tynong North. 29 homes were destroyed, and an additional two buildings were damaged and deemed uninhabitable. A further 67 sheds and outbuildings were also damaged.
Currently, the community continues in a recovery phase, where impacts of disasters on affected individuals and communities can be profound, long-lasting and life changing. The Garfield North Community Centre project is one part of a long-term, multilayered social and developmental process to support the rehabilitation of individuals and the community at large in this area.
Your ideas about uses for the Community Centre:
25 May, 2022
Frank says:
I think people need to read Tony’s reply on the Facebook page as to how the hall concept arose.
25 May, 2022
Jacob Tehennepe says:
Looks more like a pony club facility. Bet they didn’t tell that to the government when they went for the grant. Waste of money.
25 May, 2022
Concerned citizen says:
I see only two LOCAL GROUPS - CRR group and Equine group. Hardly a fair representation of the local community.
25 May, 2022
Concerned citizen says:
THANKYOU for the opportunity to consult AFTER approval. What happened to consult FOR approval?
25 May, 2022
Garry Burns says:
THANK YOU. Community Recovery Committee, Reserve CoM, Pony Club, Adult Riders, Stock Horse and Quarter Horse. That is 6 LOCAL Groups.
25 May, 2022
Julie says:
Seems this is another building for horse groups. Why not use the fantastic facilities at Tonimbuk Equestrian centre.
Waste of money.
25 May, 2022
Meeting needed says:
Still questioning how this got to this stage without a meeting with all GN residents. Council please stop until a meeting is held for all.
25 May, 2022
Penny says:
Garry Burns Garfield North doesn't have 6 volunteer groups and 300 GN residents? I have asked others and we were not aware of this.
24 May, 2022
Garry Burns says:
In SEPT 2019 the First of 3 concept plans was produced. 6 local volunteer groups ( over 300 members) gave
IN PRINCIPLE support to proceed.
23 May, 2022
SWAMPY says:
Volunteering in a LOCAL group provides a wonderful opportunity to socialize with like minded people and keep up with the local GOSS. A hall
22 May, 2022
Frank says:
Great idea,
Sick of going to Tonimbuk Hall for events. People who did no know about it obviously don’t read the Connect or local papers.
22 May, 2022
Garry Burns says:
To the ongoing hard working volunteers of Community Recovery Committee and Council. As a FIRE impacted
resident, I sincerely THANK YOU.
22 May, 2022
Jim says:
Excellent idea! GN residents are very lucky to have an opportunity to improve community activity facilities. Potentially very diverse space
22 May, 2022
Eliza says:
Council said GN residents advocated after the fires for this. Did they only ask a couple of GN people? Seems so. They dont represent GN.
22 May, 2022
SWAMPY says:
POSITIVE thinking volunteers of Garfield Nth and the Reserve KNOW the uses for a hall are only limited by
their imagination.Can do attitude
21 May, 2022
RB says:
Great to add to the facilities of current at the reserve. Multifunctional space for the community.
21 May, 2022
Mark says:
Thank you to the Fire recovery committee for this great opportunity for a community hall. Look forward to the GN residency meeting.
21 May, 2022
SWAMPY says:
NOW. 3 riding arenas, over night camping for horse riders and a proposal of a HALL for the exchange of
laughter and friendship.
21 May, 2022
SWAMPY says:
In recent HISTORY CCR had overnight camping for stagecoaches and horse riders, a trading post ,sand quarry,
rubbish tip and car race track
21 May, 2022
Barb says:
Where and when was the consultation or input from Garfield North residents at the beginning? Certainly not aware of this until now. Unfair.
20 May, 2022
Lyn says:
The G N Community is still recovering from the effects of the Bushfires and the ongoing costs and workload. A meeting place is needed.
20 May, 2022
SWAMPY says:
Pre CHRISTMAS community get together. Pony rides and entertainment for ALL the KIDS.
Showcase our wonderful WETLANDS enhancement project.
19 May, 2022
Anne Hodgson says:
Facility should be multi-functional including a dedicated space for a womens shed (there isn’t one in the area) with secure storage
19 May, 2022
KAREN says:
The User groups will all benefit from this building as they can all hold fund raising events at the hall
19 May, 2022
Sherryn says:
Waste of taxpayers money and completely pointless as tonimbuk hall is not far and barely used
19 May, 2022
Teresa says:
Not sure where this idea arose from. Not needed as Tonimbuk hall is adequate. Make use of Garfield Hall instead or oval facilities.
19 May, 2022
John says:
Great idea/concept. However there is no way that the social room could have 100 people seated at tables for meals or activities.
19 May, 2022
Garry Burns says:
Invite Garfield Primary School for ONSITE nature studies and history lessons of the OLD SALE ROAD.
Bill Parish would be proud.
18 May, 2022
Tony says:
The hall is to small. The floor plan is from a Feb 2021 quote and does not reflect what should be built for $2.3ml. Please get another qoute
18 May, 2022
Tony says:
The hall is to small. The floor plan is from a Feb 2021 quote and does not reflect what should be built for $2.3ml. Please get another qoute
18 May, 2022
Linda says:
Running meditation workshops and classes would be great for mental health but location is tricky for those that don’t drive - community bus?
18 May, 2022
Lyn says:
Information sessions with CFA, first aid and defibrillator awareness and use combined with a social get-together for the benefit of all.
18 May, 2022
Jacqandco says:
Fabulous. Greatly needed - sick of having to travel to Tonimbuk Hall for community meetings. Anyone affected by the fires can see its need.
18 May, 2022
Garry Burns says:
The Pony Club are planning for a Trivia and Auction event of local produce. Apples, Beef,Honey.Horse feed,
Hay, Wine. Support the children
17 May, 2022
M71 says:
This is not the best site for such a large venue.
The money would be better spent upgrading the existing venues in Garfield and Bunyip.
17 May, 2022
Garry Burns says:
A great location for the local community to meet with the CFA for a PRE fire season
information session.