By Oliver Lees
A new performance space, foyer, gallery and more is on its way to the Woodend Community Centre.
The state government has announced the allocation of $260,000 which will contribute toward the design phase of the project.
Star Weekly reported in May, 2021, that Macedon Ranges councillors had endorsed a Master Plan for the community asset.
Discussions about an upgrade to the facility began in 2009, before the Woodend Culture and Community Centre Group started to advocate from 2016 onwards.
The endorsement followed a period of community consultation, where it was identified that 72 per cent of respondents found a library and community space to be ‘very important’.
Located on High Street in Woodend, the Woodend Community Centre was originally developed to provide a space for residents following the devastation of the Ash Wednesday bushfires.
A farmers’ market and outdoor spaces were also deemed ‘very important’ aspects of the new community centre by more than 50 per cent of respondents.
The centre will feature an outdoor events space, as well as a cafe and information hub.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said the project was a much-need asset for the community.
“I look forward to seeing the design process get underway with the revamped centre set to improve social and employment prospects in Woodend,” Ms Thomas said.
