MOIRA Shire has applied the brakes to a long-running plan to build a library at the Yarrawonga Town Hall site which would have spelt the death-knell for the adjoining community hall.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council this week agreed to "pause" detailed plans for the town hall site and investigate whether the former primary school land in Piper Street could become the home of a new library and other services and potential attractions.
The slowdown of plans to develop the town hall was instigated by Cr Peter Lawless, who attended a recent public meeting attended by 150 people.
"This is the time for us to listen to the community," he said.
"We've got the clear message there are some conflicts on the direction we've taken.
"The game-changer for me was when leaders of the community came forward with offers of support to help the purchase (of the school site) if we went that way after investigations."
Cr Wendy Buck seconded the motion.
The town's influential philanthropic organisation, the Alexandra Park Trustees, is supportive of plans to assist the council in the purchase of the old school site for community use.
"It is commendable they have been able to take a pause and say perhaps 'we were wrong' and the school site would be the better site for the library," she said.
"There is no other piece of land suitable for building a community hub or some new facilities close to the main street.
"It has trees that were planted in memory of World War I soldiers and has a memorial gate with the names of families of children who went there.
"There is so much potential."
She said the site which is also in close proximity to the heritage-listed court house and fire station would also be a great site for a museum, art gallery, library, tourist information centre and open space.
