Sebastopol will soon have a new community hub

The Victorian community of Sebastopol will soon have a new community hub, with the rejuvenation and transformation of an existing outdated facility.

 

Design images have now been released for the Sebastopol Community Hub, showcasing a modern facility that will strengthen community connections and improve educational outcomes, while addressing the need for new and improved facilities.The $14 million project is jointly funded by the City of Ballarat ($5 million), the Australian Government ($4.5 million) via the Investing in Our Communities program and the state government ($4.5 million) via the Building Blocks Capacity program.

 

Two buildings which house the current facility will be demolished to create space for the new hub, with the new fit-for-purpose integrated community hub to open in 2026.

 

Highlights of the new facility include:

 

• Three 120-square metre kindergarten rooms  
• A main hall with a 150-person capacity, featuring an accessible stage
• Four meeting rooms with varying capacities ranging from 12-50 people
• Maternal child health consulting rooms
• A community kitchen
• An outdoor play space and an undercover play area
• On-site carparking

 

The new facility will provide a fresh home for user groups of the existing building, including the Sebastopol Senior Citizens and the 1st Sebastopol Guides as well as opening up new opportunities in the community. 

 

The Sebastopol Men’s Shed, Ballarat Community Health, St George’s Reserve, Victory Park, and Sebastopol Splash Park are all nearby, making the location an ideal one for a building which brings the community together. 

 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the project was vital for Sebastopol and the growing south-western area of the municipality, and said it was “a great collaboration between three tiers of government.”

 

“To have such strong support from both the federal and the state governments is extremely pleasing and enables us to proceed with a facility that is going to provide enormous benefit to our residents,” he said.

 

“Having one place that can cater to such diverse residents is fantastic. Whether it is the Sebastopol seniors, young children starting their education journey, new babies getting vital health checks or a range of community groups, this facility will cater to them all.”

 

The redevelopment was identified as a high priority in the City of Ballarat Community Infrastructure Plan 2022-2037. Successful advocacy on behalf of our community resulted in funding secured from the State and Federal Governments to deliver this project.  

 

To learn more about the Hub please visit the dedicated website, here.