Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub - Concept Design

About Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub Project

The Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub will deliver a range of community, learning, and health and wellbeing spaces – right in the heart of Seymour.
 The project has been designed to be delivered in multiple stages to support future growth and service expansion.

What's included in stage 1?

Stage 1 is a $17 million, two-storey facility. It is expected to open in early 2027 and will include:

• a new library and community learning spaces
• multipurpose community meeting spaces for activities and events
• a cafe
• a health hub, including clinical and nonclinical consulting spaces as well as a shared workspace for health service providers
• landscaped outdoor spaces

What programs and services can I expect at the Hub?

The Hub will provide:

• events, programs and activities run by Council for the benefit of the community
• a suite of health services specifically curated to meet the needs of the Seymour community including veterans health, mental health, preventative health and primary health
• spaces for hire by the community for events, programs and activities

Previous Community Consultation

In 2018, the local community, Mitchell Shire Council and the Victorian Government came together to re-imagine Seymour’s future through the Seymour Revitalisation Project.   identified a health and wellbeing hub as a key priority to break cycles of disadvantage and build a stronger, healthier community.

Following the identification of this project as a priority, Council, in partnership with key stakeholders undertook a preliminary concept design and advocacy campaign with the aim of securing funding for the delivery of the hub. In May 2024, $15M in funding was secured through the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program.

In June and July 2024, a community consultation process was undertaken to seek input into the buildings design. A summary of the feedback received is as follows:

1. What would you like to use the library space for?

In the library space, we heard that you’d like to have study areas, access to computers and the internet, and a space to relax or hang out. A toy library was also suggested.

1. What would you like to use the community meeting / function space for?

We heard there’s strong interest in a flexible space that can be used for a range of community needs. People would like to see it used for workshops, education classes and community programs, as well as for service groups and club events like trivia nights or presentations. There was also support for using the space for films, indoor cinema, or theatre performances, along with dance classes and art exhibitions or shows.

1. What would you like to use the outdoor space for?

We heard that you’d like to see outdoor concerts, festivals and live music. There’s also strong interest in a community garden or space to grow food, as well as areas with trees and shelter to provide shade in summer and sunlight in winter. Other ideas included markets, picnic areas, native gardens and quiet green spaces for reading and relaxing.

1. What would make this facility ‘Specifically for Seymour’?

We heard that you’d like nature-inspired rather than clinical feeling spaces.  Blending the old with new rather than shiny or futuristic design. Local themes like Anzac, agriculture and Aboriginal culture are important. Interactive elements such as murals, story gardens, and art are of value.

How the Community Feedback from June and July 2024 has been used

Council has provided this community feedback to the consultant team for incorporation of as much as is feasible into the next phase of design.

For more information

If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Greg Drake - Manager Community Projects Community.infrastructure@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au

How to get involved

• Online by completing a Submission
• Pick up a copy at the Seymour Customer and Library Service Center or view online
• Write to us at Mitchell Shire Council, Reply Paid 70358, 113 High Street, Broadford, Vic, 3658 (no stamp required)

Closing date

Submissions closed on Sunday 6 August.