Hub site proposed

Grant Avenue Kinder will relocate in the future to form part of the proposed Gisborne Early Years Hub.
Photo: Chris Fleming

Investigations into the Gisborne Early Years Hub location has listed the land between the Gisborne Public Cemetery and the Gisborne Secondary School as a possibility.

Macedon Ranges Council selected the location from a confidential list of proposed sites in the town.

It follows council's controversial decision late last year to approve Daly Nature Reserve as the location, subsequently withdrawing the decision following public backlash.

The newly proposed site, on Melton Gisborne Road, is State Government-owned and is currently used as a pine plantation.

"Of all of the sites, we prioritised this one for further investigation because it has the required space to build a hub," Mayor, Cr Roger Jukes said.

"It's also well-located to service Gisborne including the growth areas on the south side of the town, and has good car, cycling and walking access," he said.

Cr Jukes said this block also gives two potential options for access to the site, either from Aitken Street or Melton Gisborne Road.

This will depend on how council decides to use the site in terms of building placement. The process will involve obtaining feedback from key stakeholders.

Initial consultation has begun with stakeholders who may have an interest in the project. This includes the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Gisborne Cemetery Trust, Gisborne Kindergarten and Gisborne Secondary College.

Residents close to the site have also been informed of council's interest in the land and have been invited to put their views to council on the proposal.

"Once we've got the feedback from this initial consultation stage, ouncil will consider if the site has sufficient merit to progress to a more detailed investigation," Cr Jukes said.

"This would include soil and vegetation studies, a traffic study and broader community consultation.

"However, there is still a very long way to go.

Even if the site proved suitable in every way we still have to negotiate with DEECD to secure the site and then find the money to build the hub," he said.

Previous estimates put the cost of building an Early Years Hub at $3.8 million, but a new cost analysis will be undertaken to take into account the specific requirements the selected site.

"Council is unlikely to be able to develop a new early years hub without a significant state and/or federal government contribution to the project," Cr Jukes said.