Shire turns a negative into a positive for Korumburra Hub

NOW there’s a good idea, and from a local council no less.

The South Gippsland Shire Council has purchased the property at 27 Commercial Street, Korumburra that used to be the home of the Korumburra Newsagency, and before it a bank.

When a fire destroyed the building in July 2022, it was described as a devastating loss for the town. The building wasn’t restored and the business lost to the town.

Now the shire looks like turning a negative into a positive.

In a statement this week, the council said it intends to use the space to increase pedestrian connection between Commercial Street and Little Commercial Street, which is home to the new Korumburra Community Hub.

“This property purchase will provide additional connection between key projects including the Korumburra Streetscape, that will be starting this month, and the Korumburra Community Hub,” said South Gippsland Shire Council CEO, Kerryn Ellis.

“It is also expected to benefit future projects such as the Korumburra Railway Precinct Revitalisation and support Commercial Street businesses through improved pedestrian access,” she said.

In the short term, Council will investigate options to create safe public access through the site.

Council will then explore landscaping and further design opportunities to complement the upcoming Korumburra Streetscape works.