10 Oct 2017 Whittlesea Review, Whittlesea (General News) CONSTRUCTION of a vibrant community hub in Melbournes booming northern growth corridor has begun, with works starting on the $6.74 million Greater Beveridge Community Centre. The multi-purpose community centre will include two kindergarten rooms, two maternal and child health rooms, consulting rooms, kitchen facilities and multipurpose rooms that can be used for youth services, lifelong learning and community activities and programs. There is also an internal street that will act as a community gathering space. The project has been jointly funded by developers Newland ($3 million), the Victorian Governments Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning ($2.14 million) and the Victorian Governments Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution ($1.6 million). Mitchell Shire Deputy Mayor David Lowe said the centre would become a welcoming, vibrant and inclusive hub that brings children, young people, families and older residents together. In the next 30 years, its anticipated our population will reach 210,000 people, with 153,000 of those people calling Beveridge and Wallan home, Cr Lowe said. There is already a huge need for a facility like this, and as the community grows and even more families start to call Mitchell Shire home, this need will only intensify. The centre is really exciting and versatile and will cater for everything from early learning and maternal and child health services to youth programs and lifelong learning opportunities, and community health and wellbeing programs. It will also become an important meeting place in a new and growing community and will help harness social connection. Cr Lowe said the facility would not be possible without council forming strong partnerships. Forming partnerships with the state government and the developers is vital in making major projects like this become a reality, Cr Lowe said. Wed like to sincerely thank the Victorian Government and the developers for joining with council to build this wonderful facility which will provide so many benefits to our growing community. The Greater Beveridge Community Centre, near the intersection of Mandalay Circuit and Lithgow Streets, is expected to be open to the community by October 2018. Caption Text: About to build: Member for Yan Yean, Danielle Green, assisted by Tom and Georgina Wilson, turns the first sod for the community centre. Looking on are Deputy Mayor, Cr David Lowe and Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.