The future of Dulwich Community Centre site

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Consultation has concluded

The future of Dulwich Community Centre site, 14 Union Street, Dulwich

Council seeks your opinion on the future of the Dulwich Community Centre site.

Background

The Dulwich Community Centre site is a former private residence that was purchased in 1966 by the City of Burnside, with the assistance of the Lions Club of Burnside, and remodelled to suit community use.

Following a bequest from Daisy Salotti in 1972, and with government aged care grants, the rear hall was constructed to allow for larger groups to meet at the site.

The site has two halls and an office for hire as

The future of Dulwich Community Centre site, 14 Union Street, Dulwich

Council seeks your opinion on the future of the Dulwich Community Centre site.

Background

The Dulwich Community Centre site is a former private residence that was purchased in 1966 by the City of Burnside, with the assistance of the Lions Club of Burnside, and remodelled to suit community use.

Following a bequest from Daisy Salotti in 1972, and with government aged care grants, the rear hall was constructed to allow for larger groups to meet at the site.

The site has two halls and an office for hire as well as a small communal kitchen, small meeting room and toilets.

There are approximately 10 regular groups who utilise these rooms on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis for fitness, wellness, religious and business related activities.

What condition is the building in?

Inspections and assessments from various engineers, building condition assessors and valuation experts confirm that the building is in generally poor condition and requires substantial expenditure (particularly in the longer term, when major structural works will be required).

An assessment of the building by a structural engineer in January 2016 confirmed that although the building is extensively cracked, it is not considered necessary to undertake major structural works now.

Even in its current state, the building is structurally adequate and presents no danger to the occupants.

Disabled (DDA) facilities and accessibility are not currently provided and additional maintenance issues exist which include salt damp and rotting of internal timbers.

The site has restricted functionality due to its location and building footprint. As a result there are limited opportunities for alternative uses even though there are times when the building is unoccupied.

Feedback

Six options for the future of the site have been investigated and Council seeks your opinion on which you prefer. Please see these options below.

This feedback will provide valuable information to the Elected Members to inform their decision-making on this matter.

How do I have a say?

To give us your feedback, submit the online survey below by 5 pm Friday 22 September 2017.

What happens next?

It is intended the results of this consultation will be provided to Council at a meeting in November 2017.

For more information

To read the section 194 report, download a copy from the Document Library above or collect a copy from the Civic Centre Customer Service Desk.

Alternatively contact us and we can email a copy to you.

For more information contact Council's Coordinator Property and Buildings, James Brennan on 8366 4200.

Please provide your feedback to Council by 5 pm Friday 22 September 2017.

Consultation has concluded
  • Update

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    The Dulwich Community Centre has been identified as an underperforming asset in poor condition in accordance with the City of Burnside’s Property Strategy.

    In July 2017, a Report was presented to Council which outlined the current state of the Centre, constraints in terms of future development, and intervention options to improve the facility. A community consultation process then commenced to seek formal feedback in regard to the potential future use of the Dulwich Community Centre site. This was undertaken between 30 August and 22 September 2017.

    The City of Burnside sought community opinion on six suggested options for the future of the Dulwich Community Centre. Participants were asked to confirm their support for each option, and were asked to comment on their selection.

    It is evident from the results that there were no solutions that were overly supported by the respondents. The community could choose from six options:

    1. Status Quo

    2. Renovate

    3. Reuse/Adapt

    4. Reconstruct

    5. Pocket Park

    6. Dispose

    The results indicate that while those who responded do not agree on a potential option, there is not the belief that an alternative option has been missed or not canvassed.

    With respect to the selected options, the Renovate option, followed closely by the Status Quo option, received the lowest opposition; with comments indicating the community are seeking a low-cost option for minor improvements to the Centre should it be retained.

    The options to Reconstruct and Reuse/Adapt options were considered too expensive by many respondents. The Pocket Park option received low support as the site was considered too small for this purpose and there are many other park options nearby.

    Concerns about the permanent loss of community land or public space and that it should remain as a community facility were the strongest reasons why the Dispose option received low support from the respondents.

    Feedback received from the current hirers of the Centre indicated their primary concern in relation to a closure of the Centre in the short or long term relates to a lack of alternative venues that meet their needs in terms of location, pricing and building components such as timber floors and storage options.

    Over 500 responses were received and overall the outcome of the consultation has been inconclusive in that those who responded have indicated they are unsatisfied with each option proposed.

    Therefore, at the Council Meeting on 28 November, Council resolved that any decision on the Dulwich Community Centre be deferred until after the endorsement of the Connected Community Strategy and Strategy Action Plan. These are currently being developed by the Administration.

    Following the endorsement of the Strategy and Action Plan a further Report will be presented to Council which will recommend a process for continuing the matter, including re-engaging the community to determine a preferred position and a definitive outcome.

  • The six options

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    Status Quo

    Remedial works are undertaken to improve aesthetics and undertake remedial maintenance. Service provision to the community will be uninterrupted and likely to remain at current levels. Due to location and the structural limitations of the building, there are limited opportunities for alternative uses of the site even though there are times when the facility is unoccupied. The estimated cost for this option is $20,000 in works and $15,000 per year for ongoing maintenance and operational costs.

    Renovate

    Renovate the internal components with no change to the building’s footprint. For this work to be undertaken the use/hire of the building will be interrupted while works are undertaken. Users will enjoy a more aesthetically pleasing venue however functionality would remain similar. Due to location and the structural limitations of the building, there are limited opportunities for alternative uses of the site even though there are times when the facility is unoccupied. The estimated cost for this option is $620,000 in works and $20,000 per year for ongoing maintenance, operational costs and depreciation.

    Reuse or Adapt

    Demolish up to 60 per cent of the existing building and reconstruct it to improve the amenities and accessibility (DDA). During these works hirers will be unable to use the site. Some increase in functionality is expected although there are limited opportunities to introduce alternative uses due to the location of the site. The estimated cost for this option is $870,000 in works and $22,000 per year for ongoing maintenance, operational costs and depreciation.

    Reconstruct

    Demolish the entire building and reconstruct a modern facility that has potential to increase the functionality of the site and make it useful for a wider range of uses and larger number of community groups. However the location and size of the site limits these opportunities. During these works hirers will be unable to use the site. The estimated cost for this option is $1.45 m in works and $27,000 per year for ongoing maintenance, operational costs and depreciation.

    Pocket Park

    Demolish the building and redevelop into a pocket park. Council will assist existing users, where possible, to relocate to other venues. This option creates a new open space. Active recreation may be limited due to the surrounding residential area with the park suited to passive recreation (sitting, reading, yoga etc). A pocket park would benefit local residents but has limited other uses due to the location of the site. The estimated cost for this option is $160,000 in works and $10,000 per year for ongoing maintenance and depreciation.

    Dispose

    Sale of the site as-is on the open market. Proceeds may be invested in existing or new community facilities across the City, into the acquisition of open space, or repayment of council debt. Council would assist existing users, where possible, to relocate to other venues. Costs associated with the disposal process will be offset by any sale proceeds. As this option is one possible consideration, Council is required to present a report on a proposal to dispose of this community land in accordance with section 194 of the Local Government Act 1999. The inclusion of this report does not represent that the future of the site has already been decided.