by Cam Lucadou-Wells
A proposed $40.3 million community services hub in the heart of Cranbourne within four years is set to go out for public comment.
On the back of an “undeniably strong” business case, the Cranbourne Hub would potentially open early 2027.
It has been identified as a “priority major community infrastructure project”, a key part in revitalising Cranboune’s major activity centre.
Built on the council’s car park at 1-3 Lyall Street, it could include council customer service, youth services, a library, community meeting spaces and consulting suites.
However the community “appetite” for the project was as yet unknown, Casey administrator Cameron Boardman said at a 18 April council meeting.
He also raised concern about the “challenging fiscal and investment environments” despite the facility’s “number of benefits”.
“Whilst the motivation and the acceptance of this (project) is meritorious, the cost is significant.
“There is significant community engagement to be undertaken and until we do, we won’t be making a decision at this stage.”
Administrator Miguel Belmar said the Hub was a “great opportunity” to revitalise Cranbourne as well as to put the car park site to “better use for the enjoyment of the community”.
He was also concerned how the Hub would be funded.
The community consultation this year will include project cost, funding sources, services at the Hub and design.
Under a proposed timeline, detailed design would then occur in 2023-’24, followed by 15 months of construction.
The hub could be mainly funded by a loan, as well as rates and the sale of the former Balla Balla Community Centre site.
Due to the “compounding” cost of loan repayments, a council report “strongly recommended” exploring other funding sources such as State grants, partnerships and surplus property sales.
To that end, the council will consider whether to retain or dispose the Casey Administration building site in the Casey Complex in Cranbourne East.
The report warned that deferring the Hub beyond 2027 would result in “significant risk” of cost escalation, community frustration and funding stagnation.
It would also “de-couple” the Hub from other revitalisation activity in Cranbourne and put “unacceptable pressure” on ageing facilities.
“Significantly … there will be lost opportunity to relocate existing Council services and release key sites for future strategic, economic and community benefit.”
