Sod turn signifies start of community centre’s construction
Published on 08 April 2025
Residents of all ages living in the growing suburb of Wollert are a step closer to better health, education and wellbeing after the first sod was turned on the West Wollert Community Centre.
The milestone was marked with a short ceremony held at the Jardin Road site on Friday 4 April to celebrate the official start of the centre’s construction.
Wollert’s population is expected to grow to more than 33,000 people by 2041 and with it the demand for essential community services.
The $16.2 million centre will provide a boost to early childhood education through the provision of a three-room kindergarten creating 198 new places.
Two Maternal and Child Health Services consulting rooms will give parents access to important health checks for their young children without the need to travel.
The community hall, kitchen, lounge, activity room and community garden will help Wollert residents to create valuable social connections.
The centre will house a mini-branch library allowing residents easy access to Yarra Plenty Regional Library’s extensive collection of books, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and more.
There will also be a focus on accessibility to ensure everyone can benefit from the centre, including delivery of a Changing Places facility for people with high care needs.
The centre is expected to be finished in early 2027.
City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Aidan McLindon was joined at the event by Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing MP and Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny MP.
Council is investing $7.7 million towards the project, with the Victorian Government contributing $6.75 million from its Building Blocks Fund and $1.5 million from its Growing Suburbs Fund. Melbourne Water is also contributing $168,663 to deliver the integration of permeable paving within the facility’s car park.
For more information about the project, visit the West Wollert Community Centre page.
Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Aidan McLindon:
“The West Wollert Community Centre will help to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for residents at all stages of their lives. Wollert’s population has grown – and will continue to grow – rapidly, making infrastructure like this community centre vital to meeting the needs and expectations of residents. The City of Whittlesea is committed to ensuring our growth suburbs have access to essential community services and we thank the State Government for its support on this project.”