Bid to keep school site for community

Future development of the former Yarragon Primary School site for community uses will be in the hands of the state government.

After a lengthy consultation period with community members, and many suggestions for proposed uses for the vacant site, Baw Baw Shire will pursue purchasing the site.

Council will write to the Victorian School Building Authority to confirm its interest in purchasing the Rollo St property through the first right of refusal process.

The purchase is dependent on the state government returning a fair and reasonable value for the site. Council has not budgeted for the purchase.

If successful, council will then work with the community to determine the best use of the site.

A survey conducted by the Yarragon 2030 sub-committee showed 98 per cent of respondents supported council purchasing the site.

The CFA also has expressed interest in purchasing a portion of the site for development of a new fire station.

The former school site was declared surplus by the Education Department in 2015.

The site was referred to the Fast Track Government Land Service, to fast track rezoning of land, to enable the best price in an open market.

However, strong community opposition to the rezoning and sale resulted in the government granting council a six month stay on a decision to allow council to undertake further consultation.

A report to council last week said identification of a community use was required to secure purchase of the site for a reduced fee.

If council fails to identify an adequate community use to satisfy state government requirements, council has the option to purchase the site on the open market without a restriction on title.

Community members want to see the former school site retained in public hands.

Surveys conducted by the community and by council showed similar results with a community centre or hub, new CFA fire stations and community gardens the top three priorities.

Other suggestions were for a municipal pool, skatepark or playground.

Gill Cooper outlined community survey results to council, saying there was overwhelming community support for council to purchase the site.

She said there was some disparity in proposed uses but generally the top three favoured uses were the same as council survey findings.

Ms Cooper said there also was support for tourism facilities including a recreational vehicle rest area.

Cr Darren Wallace said such sites came along once in a lifetime.

“The opportunities are endless for community hubs to grow open spaces,” he said.

Cr Tricia Jones said the community had put forward a number of suggestions for possible community uses.

“The least we can do is advocate to them. We have got nothing to lose in the first right of refusal process and we might not get that chance again,” she said.

Cr Michael Leaney said he hoped the process would give council an opportunity to negotiate a fair price.

“I congratulate the Yarragon community for the passion they have for this site. They have put a lot of thought and effort into it all.

“We are very much in favour of this being in public hands but there are a lot of hurdles yet. The department may take another two years,” he said.

Mayor Joe Gauci acknowledged the Yarragon community’s overwhelming support during the consultation process.

“When we asked the community if they would support our investment in the site, survey results showed 97.7 per cent of respondents were in favour of the purchase.

“This shows us how much the community value the site and we are committed to doing all we can to see the purchase through.”