Hepburn Council has allocated  $270,000 for the 2025/26 financial year, to plan facilities for the front of the Daylesford Town Hall and the auditorium as part of the long, drawn out process to establish a community hub in Daylesford.

A Brief History of the Community Hub

The quest for a centralized community hub in Daylesford has faced significant shifts over the years:

  • The original Town Hall proposal. More than 15 years ago Council developed plans to develop community facilities on the Town Hall site. This site has long been favored by the community for its heritage value and central location.
  • The Rex. Council changed its mind and moved to build the “Hepburn Hub at the Rex,” a multi-purpose facility at the site of the former Rex Theatre on Vincent Street. The project was designed to house a library, council offices, and community spaces, but the decision was made in November 2021 not to proceed with that site.
  • Return to the Town Hall (2023): In December 2023, Council resolved to progress the Daylesford Town Hall as the preferred site for the future library and community facility. 

Funding Challenges and Staged Delivery

While Council has allocated funds for design, Mayor Cr Tony Clark acknowledged the financial and resource limitations facing the Shire.

  • External Funding Required: Council currently does not have the funds to complete the full redevelopment.Establishing detailed, “shelf-ready” designs is critical to apply for necessary federal and state government funding opportunities in the future.
  • Staged Approach: Due to these constraints, the project will be delivered in phases:
    • Phase 1 (Current): Detailed design of the Town Hall’s front section and auditorium upgrades.
    • Future Phases: Development of the multipurpose spaces, library, and backstage facilities, which remain subject to future budgets and external grants.

Current Progress

Tenders for the front section design are currently under evaluation, with a contract expected by July. Quotations for the auditorium upgrades are also being finalized, with submissions closing today, May 1.

The Wombat Post will continue to monitor progress toward the establishment of the long promised upgrade to community facilities in Daylesford.