Resources
| wonthaggi_creative_arts_and_cultural_precinct_ii.pdf |
Wonthaggi Creative Arts and Cultural Precinct
Proposal to Bass Coast Council 2021
Download Full Report Above as a PDF
This detailed proposal for a thriving cultural precinct on the site of the former Wonthaggi Secondary College site in the heart of town was developed by members of Council's Arts & Cultural Advisory Committee in 2021. It was formally presented to Bass Coast Council later that year.
The report demonstrates the demand, the drivers, advantages and opportunities to be gained for Bass Coast through the creation of diverse and active cultural spaces, integrated into a dynamic civic and community precinct.
Opportunities and Benefits
This should be a lived in, active community neighbourhood site for the people of our town and region.
We envisage a vibrant cultural town precinct with an emphasis on making and producing spaces - building our creative economy and driving opportunities for artists and youth in our region: working art studios, performance, rehearsal, making and recording spaces, a high profile arts company tenancy, a home for our local radio station, outdoor spaces and stages and public places connecting with cafes and eateries. Ideally this precinct would include a modest scaled Regional Gallery - showcasing Council's Robert Smith Bequest collection along with work by local, regional and touring artists, and a new purpose built home for our Library.
This can be creative gathering place for people of all ages to come together and build on the stories of Wonthaggi and our wider communities.
Drawing on previous business cases and current strategic plans, the Creative Precinct Discussion paper identifies economic, cultural and social benefits stemming from the development of new cultural infrastructure. It argues that a cultural precinct will provide a much-needed boost to Wonthaggi’s identity, and to its economy.
Given the scale of the site, the proposal for a cultural precinct does not preclude co-location with social housing and the potential for some retail and hospitality. The more this site is part of our town's lived, creative and community experience, the better!
Summary
A Wonthaggi Creative Arts and Cultural Precinct will be bold, differentiated, destinational and defining, creating a regional creative hub that contributes to Bass Coast as a desirable place to live, work, visit and create. We call on the Federal, State and Local governments to come together for the development of a Masterplan for this worthy project for the entire region
Proposal to Bass Coast Council 2021
Download Full Report Above as a PDF
This detailed proposal for a thriving cultural precinct on the site of the former Wonthaggi Secondary College site in the heart of town was developed by members of Council's Arts & Cultural Advisory Committee in 2021. It was formally presented to Bass Coast Council later that year.
The report demonstrates the demand, the drivers, advantages and opportunities to be gained for Bass Coast through the creation of diverse and active cultural spaces, integrated into a dynamic civic and community precinct.
Opportunities and Benefits
This should be a lived in, active community neighbourhood site for the people of our town and region.
We envisage a vibrant cultural town precinct with an emphasis on making and producing spaces - building our creative economy and driving opportunities for artists and youth in our region: working art studios, performance, rehearsal, making and recording spaces, a high profile arts company tenancy, a home for our local radio station, outdoor spaces and stages and public places connecting with cafes and eateries. Ideally this precinct would include a modest scaled Regional Gallery - showcasing Council's Robert Smith Bequest collection along with work by local, regional and touring artists, and a new purpose built home for our Library.
This can be creative gathering place for people of all ages to come together and build on the stories of Wonthaggi and our wider communities.
Drawing on previous business cases and current strategic plans, the Creative Precinct Discussion paper identifies economic, cultural and social benefits stemming from the development of new cultural infrastructure. It argues that a cultural precinct will provide a much-needed boost to Wonthaggi’s identity, and to its economy.
Given the scale of the site, the proposal for a cultural precinct does not preclude co-location with social housing and the potential for some retail and hospitality. The more this site is part of our town's lived, creative and community experience, the better!
Summary
A Wonthaggi Creative Arts and Cultural Precinct will be bold, differentiated, destinational and defining, creating a regional creative hub that contributes to Bass Coast as a desirable place to live, work, visit and create. We call on the Federal, State and Local governments to come together for the development of a Masterplan for this worthy project for the entire region
Who Owns the Site - What's Happening Now?
The Department of Education currently manages the former site of Wonthaggi High School. It is owned be the Victorian State Government.
While the State is keen to transfer ownership to Council, Council see many potential liability and ongoing cost issues related to taking on ownership and responsibility.
Bass Coast Shire Council have commenced detailed pre-feasibility studies, which include exhaustive examinations of the property’s condition, including building and structural integrity, heritage and safety. This will identify short-medium- and long-term costs plus risks associated with taking on the site, to ensure a full understanding of the costs involved in managing the site.
A decision to transfer management of the site will be made after the completion of all pre-feasibility studies.
Note; this 'pre-feasibility' process has been ongoing for over two years now,.
Time for Action
We are calling on the Local and State Governments to resolve the impasse on site ownership as soon as possible, allowing the community to move ahead with creating the opportunities this site holds for the township and region.
Council Engage Site Link: https://engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/wonthaggi_secondary
The Department of Education currently manages the former site of Wonthaggi High School. It is owned be the Victorian State Government.
While the State is keen to transfer ownership to Council, Council see many potential liability and ongoing cost issues related to taking on ownership and responsibility.
Bass Coast Shire Council have commenced detailed pre-feasibility studies, which include exhaustive examinations of the property’s condition, including building and structural integrity, heritage and safety. This will identify short-medium- and long-term costs plus risks associated with taking on the site, to ensure a full understanding of the costs involved in managing the site.
A decision to transfer management of the site will be made after the completion of all pre-feasibility studies.
Note; this 'pre-feasibility' process has been ongoing for over two years now,.
Time for Action
We are calling on the Local and State Governments to resolve the impasse on site ownership as soon as possible, allowing the community to move ahead with creating the opportunities this site holds for the township and region.
Council Engage Site Link: https://engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/wonthaggi_secondary
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Video of the school site today
Taken by a former student in late 2024, it clearly shows the good condition of many spaces still today. Credit and thanks to Urbex Gecko for creating this video. www.youtube.com/@urbexgecko |