Still early days for old college revamp

BASS Coast Shire has begun some preliminary feasibility work for the redevelopment of the former Wonthaggi Secondary College site. 

The former college was brought back to life as a COVID testing site for Bass Coast Health, but the site is currently unused again. 

The shire had allocated $300,000 in its recently adopted 2022/2023 budget towards the redevelopment.

“We have begun some initial feasibility work for the site now that Bass Coast Health is no longer requiring it for COVID-19 testing however, the site is still in the possession of The Department of Education,” Bass Coast Shire’s CEO Ali Wastie said.

According to the Wonthaggi Activity Centre Plan, the site has been earmarked as a potential civic hub, which would include a library, learning services and an arts centre, with a mix of commercial, retail and residential uses.

Other features identified in the activity centre plan included:
* Residential/accommodation located to the east of the site to interface with existing residential and future education precinct
* Future uses can potentially accommodate arts and cultural events and activities.
* Incorporate significant landscaping of the surrounding streetscapes.
* Investigate opportunity to upgrade Wisharts/Soldiers Reserve along with the redevelopment of the site.

However, Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said council needed to “get a move on” regarding the transfer of the former campus site. 

“They (council) are being gifted this massive piece of land and amazing opportunity to reimagine into a cultural, arts, civic precinct and no proper community engagement has even started to develop up concept plans,” Ms Crugnale said.