We're planning a new multi-purpose community centre for Donnybrook.
Donnybrook’s population is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. The population is predicted to increase from just 5,210 in 2023, to more than 48,123 by 2041.
We're planning ahead to deliver the infrastructure and services Donnybrook residents will need, close to home. The new community centre will help us deliver essential services to this fast-growing community.
The Murnong Community Centre will be located in the Olivine Estate, Donnybrook, at 183 Olivine Boulevard.
The centre will include a range of community services and facilities, including:
- a kindergarten for 3- and 4-year-old programs, including two kindergarten rooms and a playspace
- a maternal and child health service
- a community hall and kitchen
- two meeting rooms for hire
- a public community lounge with mini-branch library.
We’re partnering with the Victorian Government to deliver the community centre.
The Victorian Government is providing:
- $2 million from its Growing Suburbs Fund
- $709,500 from its Living Libraries Infrastructure Program
- $4,500,000 from the Building Blocks Program
- $180,000 from the Changing Places Program.
- February 2024: Detailed design of the facility completed.
- Mid-2024: The construction contract awarded; construction expected to commence.
- Late-2025: Centre expected to open.
A major milestone was reached on 27 March 2024 with the ceremonial turning of the first sod on the Murnong Community Centre.
City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd joined Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage to mark the occasion.
The name of the Murnong Community Centre reflects the indigenous culture, landscape and flora of Donnybrook and surrounding suburbs.
Murnong means ‘yam daisy’ in the Woi Wurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. The roots of Murnong plants were an important traditional food source for many Aboriginal people.
In April 2023, we invited the public to comment on the proposed name for the community centre. We received 30 responses, the majority of which supported the name Murnong Community Centre.
Geographic Names Victoria has now officially approved and registered the name Murnong Community Centre for the future community centre.
The community centre will include a kindergarten, to cater for the rising demand for three- and four-year-old kindergarten programs in the northern suburbs.
Murnong Community Centre will include a 66-place kindergarten to complement the existing 33-place kindergarten on the Donnybrook Primary School site next door.
To enrol in three or four-year-old kindergarten at Murnong Kindergarten in 2026, visit our kindergarten application page.
