Doncaster Hill Civic Precinct
Located within Precinct 1, Doncaster
Hill’s Civic Precinct will be a thriving community hub
for the all Manningham residents, as well as visitors, to
enjoy.
The Civic Precinct concept, which seeks to co-locate a number
of cultural, social and community facilities and services
in a central location to meet the growing needs of the community,
was approved by Council on 24 June 2008.
The Precinct 1 covers the non-residential area north of Doncaster
Road between Council Street and JJ Tully Drive and includes
major civic and educational facilities, such as the Council
Offices and Doncaster Primary School, as well as key historic
buildings and areas of open space. It boasts spectacular views
of the mountain ranges to the north and east and offers easy
access to Westfield Doncaster.
Project development
Development is expected to take place over a 10-15 year timeframe,
with the initial stage expected to be completed within the
next three years.
The successful development of the Civic Precinct will play
a very significant municipal-wide role in the provision of
space for social interaction and cultural development opportunities,
and community meetings. It will form the Civic and Community
Hub for all residents of Manningham and complement the commercial
and residential development in the adjoining areas of Doncaster
Hill.
Key components of the Civic Precinct concept include:
- Library / Cultural Centre / community arts / café
facilities;
- Family services / childcare / maternal and child health
/ preschool facilities;
- Community / youth activity space;
- Doncare service delivery / office accommodation facilities;
- Site landscaping works;
- Underground parking facilities; and
- Civic forecourt / transport hub / shared pedestrian and
cycling facilities.
Heritage buildings and landscapes in the precinct will be
retained and enhanced. It is also envisaged to incorporate
strong pedestrian links to other areas of Doncaster Hill.
The area will be designed to encourage walking, cycling and
the use of public transport and will adhere to Council's Ecologically
Sustainable Development principles.
Funding and financial management
The estimated cost of the initial stage of development - expected
to be completed within three years - is around $28 million.
Financial management of the project will focus on no rates
dependence, drawing on the Development Contributions Plan
Overlay (DCPO) and Westfield contributions, as well as targeting
Federal and State Government grants.
A Financial Capacity Analysis has been undertaken, showing
that Council has capacity to fund the development without
detriment to its five year Capital Works Program and adopted
Budget.
The Doncaster Hill Precinct 1 Community Infrastructure Assessment
(740Kb) provides further information on the potential for
Precinct 1 to become a community focal point.
Library
A new state-of-the-art Doncaster Library is one of the facilities
to be provided in the Civic Precinct.
The Doncaster
branch of the Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation
was located in Westfield Doncaster prior to the commencement
of the recent redevelopment and is currently in a temporary
location at 1 Hummell Way (at the rear of the Scout Hall,
off JJ Tully Drive behind Council offices).
Council has received $500,000 through the State Government's
Living Libraries program for the development of the new library,
which will significantly improve public library infrastructure
and be a valuable asset for the whole of the Manningham community
into the future and a place for people to meet, access technology,
information, and reading resources.
As the temporary library is smaller than the permanent facility,
some services are likely to be slightly modified, although
core library services have been maintained.
Consultation
Extensive consultation and communications with stakeholders
regarding the Civic Precinct project will be ongoing. Displays
can be viewed at the Civic Centre and Library in Doncaster.
For more information on the development of the Civic Precinct
contact Council on 9840 9333 or email doncasterhill@manningham.vic.gov.au.
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