Recommendations made on new site for collaborative community services
MEDIA RELEASE - Recommendations made on new site for collaborative community services
May 2016
The Pemberton Community Resource Centre, Pemberton Visitor Centre and Shire of Manjimup Public Library (the project partners) have concluded stage one of the Pemberton Co-location project, which was to identify the best site for a new or redeveloped facility where the three services will be co-located under one roof.
A panel of two representatives from each partner organisation considered feedback from community stakeholders and other research data and have achieved consensus on a way forward.
"Community input was an integral component of the process. Public consultation was extensive with more than 50 attendees at consultation meetings and 43 written submissions received," project partner and Community Resource Centre Manager, Peter Smith.
Whilst the first preference has been determined to be the Old Pemberton School, the overall scores between the Old School and the second preference, the Pemberton Sports Club, were sufficiently close that the representatives are recommending further investigation into the two sites before making a final decision.
"Clearly the community preference is to redevelop the old school," said Shire President, Wade DeCampo. "However, we need the state government to work with us in regards to land acquisition and the retention of priority heritage components of the existing building. Quite frankly, without their support it could be a cost prohibitive option," said Cr DeCampo, adding that the final decision will be well-considered and must be a financially viable, long-term solution.
In addition to recommendations to engage with the state government on acquiring the Old School site for the development, the project partners have agreed to investigate other successful co-location projects in regional WA and will seek preliminary development costings for both the Old School and the Sports Club as part of stage two of the project. The partners are committed to progressing this next stage of the project as a priority.
"It's helpful we aren't the first community to collaborate on a co-location like this. We have examples we can learn from, both the good and the bad, which means we can take some of the guess work out of it and keep our momentum up," said project partner and Pemberton Visitor Centre President, Mark Hudson.
The recommendations were put to the Shire of Manjimup Council, Pemberton Community Resource Centre Management Committee and Pemberton Visitor Centre Board of Management for endorsement.
At its ordinary Council Meeting held on Thursday, 5 May 2015, the Shire Council was the third and final project partner to endorse the recommendations bringing them into full effect.
SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ENDORSED BY THE EACH OF THE PROJECT PARTNER ORGANISATIONS
- The Partners engage with the WA State Government to clarify its willingness to relinquish the Old Pemberton School site and any applicable terms and conditions. Matters for discussion include:
- Relinquishing as an unencumbered site (ie. Including the demolition of the majority of existing structures retaining a small portion of the building with heritage significance);
- Subdivision of site;
- Land holding and leasing options;
- Application of the Government Heritage Property Disposal Process; and
- Determination of a probable timeframe.
- The Partners investigate good examples of other co-location experiences and facilities in other regional towns in WA, including legal arrangements. This is for the purpose of fine-tuning the architectural brief for the facility's design that is currently in draft form.
- Utilising existing funds committed to this project, the Partners recruit a qualified professional to draft concept plans from the architectural brief and provide estimated construction/redevelopment costs for both:
- The Old Pemberton School site; and
- The Pemberton Sports Club.
- The Partners identify potential funding sources and options for the design and construction of a new facility.
-ENDS-
Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer
Contact Gina Nieuwendyk, Coordinator Communication and Executive Support
Contact: 9771 7777
Contact for comment: Wade DeCampo, Shire President
Contact: 0427 094 081
Contact to arrange photo opportunity: Hsien Harper, Project Officer
Contact: 0466 488 699
