Hawthorn Community Precinct
We are building a new community facility to provide a range of services for children, families and the older community.
The project involves construction of a new building that will form part of a diverse community precinct at 584-590 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn .
The new community facility will house community meeting rooms, Maternal and Child Health, and offer an integrated Early Years service incorporating the Glenferrie Early Childhood Centre (GECC), Manresa Kindergarten, and Hawthorn Occasional Care. The Peppercorn Club, Italian Senior Citizens Club, and Hawthorn Community Education Centre (HCEC) will also regularly use the new space.
The existing Hawthorn Library will remain in its current location but will be integrated into the new Hawthorn Community Precinct.
The project is estimated to cost $11 million.
This innovative and intergenerational approach will set the standard for future delivery of community services in the City of Boroondara.
What's happening now?
The construction contract for the new facility has been awarded to ADCO Constructions Pty Ltd and building construction works are now underway. See the photos to the righthand side of the page to check progress.
It's business as usual
The Hawthorn Library will remain open and in its current location throughout the construction period. A temporary entrance is located adjacent to the existing returns book chute, on the north-west side of the library building, to ensure patron safety.
Relocated services will continue operating from their temporary locations until the works are complete.
Traffic and parking
No public parking is available within the site during works.
Parallel parking remains along Glenferrie Road and incorporates a number of 15 minute short term parking bays. A bus loading zone, adjacent to the Hawthorn Library, is also available for short term parking. Restricted parking is additionally available in the Swinburne Avenue car park. Library users parking in this car park can walk to the library via Oxley Road and Glenferrie Road.
On site signage is now in place to assist with access directions.
Sustainability
This project provides an opportunity to demonstrate environmental sustainability in a modern purpose built building and the design is in accordance with Council’s Sustainable Buildings Policy.
Key sustainable elements incorporated into the design include minimisation of volatile compounds in paint, adhesives and floor coverings, individual energy and water meters, solar orientation, rainwater harvesting, and environmentally sensitive building materials.
Best practice
National and international research details the benefits of integrating the education and care of young children at important early developmental stages, such as the school transition period. The new integrated Early Years service at Hawthorn Community Precinct will offer long day care and occasional care for children aged zero to five years (until school entry), and preschool/kindergarten for three to five year olds. A range of additional supportive services will be included onsite to further complement the existing services.
To enhance service integration, it is proposed the operations of the current services Manresa Kindergarten, GECC, and Hawthorn Occasional Care amalgamate into a single integrated governance entity. We will continue to provide updates as further details become available.
Funding
The works are being funded by the City of Boroondara. Council has received a $500,000 grant from the Victorian Government for this project through the Children's Service Program.
An additional grant of $100,000 has also been provided under the Australian Government's Services and Support for People with Disabilities Program, and Accessible Communities Activity. This falls under the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs' initiative to increase best practice in the accessibility of local buildings and public spaces to people with a disability.
Next steps
A permanent Hawthorn Community Precinct naming sign will be installed at the end of the construction period to coincide with the official opening ceremony of the new building and community precinct as a whole.
Final carpark and landscaping works are expected to be completed in October 2012.
Community engagement
We thank all those who participated in the innovative Naming Project to explore potential precinct names.
How to keep informed
- Submit an online form to register for project updates.
- See plans for the project on display at Hawthorn Library.
- phone: 9278 4784 - Rick Kwasek, Coordinator Major Building Projects
- email: Rick Kwasek
Files
Ground floor plans (pdf, 1.78 MB)- Level 1 plans (pdf, 1.07 MB)
In this section
Register
To obtain information about the Hawthorn Community Precinct by email or mail, fill out this online form and submit.