By Cr Peter Hemphill
It was my pleasure recently to officially open the refurbished Hobsons Bay Civic Centre – a great new building that will be a fantastic community asset.
The history and heritage of our city is a subject close to my heart, and I’m delighted that the things that makes Hobsons Bay great – the places and the history – have been incorporated into the revamp of the
civic centre.
The refurbished building now reflects some of the most important aspects of Hobsons Bay – our natural environment, our history, our industry, our future and, most importantly, our local community.
There is repurposed material from around the city used throughout the building, including hardwood from a pier pole from Hobsons Bay Yacht Club and old bearers from under local houses.
One of my favourite areas of the building is the bricked zone, which pays tribute to the Newport Railway Workshops and the important role it has played in our state’s transport system.
That area uses old bricks from the chimney at the railyards, engraining our past into the present where our staff work every day to improve the future of our city.
This refurbishment has saved council tens of millions of dollars – both compared to other redevelopment proposals that were devised by previous administrations, and on what maintaining and renewing the old civic centre would have cost us.
It’s also a cleaner, greener building.
It has already significantly reduced our emissions, and therefore our energy costs.
Most importantly, it is a true community building.
Our residents and community groups will be able to access this building to strengthen their connection with council.
There’s a co-working space with monitors and sit-stand desks, meeting rooms and a digital lounge available for the community.
Early next month, there will be opportunities for the community to see how their new-look civic centre can work for them, and how they can get great use out of it.
Details: www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/civiccentreopening
