By Oliver Lees
The Old Kyneton Primary School’s transformation into a community hub is one step closer following the appointment of a site operator to lead the project.
Heritage management organisation Working Heritage was chosen as the body that will be responsible for the revitalisation works in collaboration with Creative Victoria.
The project will receive a $12 million investment from the state government to turn the 161-year-old bluestone school building on Baynton Street into an arts space.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said Working Heritage’s track record of managing publicly owned heritage sites will be a boost for the project.
“Through this new partnership, we are excited to be able to deliver on the community’s ambition for this site and get to work on reactivating and transforming this local icon for generations to come.”
The decision follows three years of community consultation after the school closed its door in March 2018.
The Kyneton and District Town Square Co-op has been active in advocating for the space be reimagined with a community-minded approach.
Co-op chair Rob Bakes said he did not oppose the appointment, but remains concerned that a lack of consultation could see the interests of the immediate community deprioritised.
“We don’t want to be adversarial, we want to collaborate, but the big divide has been between tourist dollars and the interests of the people of Kyneton,” Mr Bakes said.
“In uncertain times community becomes absolutely important, so it’s not necessarily about spending a lot of money, it’s about actually engaging the community as an equal partner for this space.”
The co-op lodged their own formal expression of interest to manage the future vision of the historic plot.
Their proposal, which included a town square, community garden and amphitheatre, was rejected.
Mr Bakes said the community group facilitated a survey process that drew approximately 270 responses from locals and a town square was top of the list of priorities.
“The co-op has significantly dug into the needs of the community and we want to be sure that those things happen,” he said.
“Most important is a sense of wellbeing, a sense of belonging and a sense of place. If you don’t engage the community, you’re going to miss the mark on those things.”
Working Heritage acting chair Kerry Anderson said the organisation would endeavour to appoint a Kyneton-based manager and consult the community directly.
“Working Heritage is looking forward to working with the community and key partners to bring new purpose to the old school site.”
