berriwillock multi-purpose community centre feasibility

Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community

Centre Feasibility Study

1 Volume Service and Business Plan

BAADE HARBOUR AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. (BHA)

in Association with

Clark Phillips Pty Ltd

Acknowledgements

The Project Steering Committee and the Consultancy Team would like to acknowledge and

thank the residents of Berriwillock and District for their support and contributions throughout

this project.

Baade Harbour Australia and Clark Phillips also acknowledge and thank the service providers

and government representatives who provided valuable input to the study.

Project Steering Committee

Caroline Welsh Berriwillock Building Committee, Member; and Berriwillock Community

Development Group Inc., Secretary

Jamie Simpson Berriwillock Building Committee, Member

Cr Ellen White Buloke Shire Council

Cr Reid Mather Buloke Shire Council

Anthony Judd Buloke Shire Council, Manager Assets and Infrastructure

Louisa Ferrier Buloke Shire Council, Project Officer Assets and Infrastructure

Pat O’Brien Loddon Mallee Region, Country Fire Authority, Regional Manager

Bill Johnstone Loddon Mallee Region, Country Fire Authority, Operations Manager

Participating Organisations/Agencies

Australian Red Cross – Berriwillock Branch

Berriwillock Bowling Club

Berriwillock Building Committee

Berriwillock CFA

Berriwillock Community Development Group

Berriwillock Catholic Church

Berriwillock Fitness

Berriwillock Grain Storage Co-operative

Berriwillock Historical Society

Berriwillock Playgroup

Berriwillock Recreation Reserve

Berriwillock Silo Committee

Berriwillock Tennis Club

Berriwillock Uniting/ Anglican Congregation

Birchip Business and Learning Centre

Birchip Cropping Group

Buloke Shire Council

Buloke Shire Maternal and Child Health

Culgoa Lions Club

Cemetery Trust

Central Mallee Osteopathy

Floral Arts Group

Landmark

Mallee Track Health & Community Services –

Sea Lake & District Health Service Inc. & Sea

Lake Hospital Outreach Group

Moulamein Grain Co-operative

Poole & Associates

Sea Lake Lions Club

Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers Football and Netball

Club

Sea Lake Neighbourhood House

Swan Hill District Health Services

Swimming Pool Committee

St Mary’s School, Sea Lake

Tyrell College

Berriwillock Multipurpose Community Centre

Feasibility Study 2012 – Volume 1

Clark Phillips Pty Ltd 3

Volume 1/Final Report 24082012

Acronyms

ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics

BCDG Berriwillock Community Development Group

CFA Country Fire Authority

HACC Home and Community Care

LGA Local Government Area - Municipality

RDV Regional Development Victoria

SLA Statistical Local Area

SRV Sport & Recreation Victoria

Preliminary Note

Throughout this Study you will find boxed ‘quotes’ that provide various comments from other

agencies, governments and planners on what community centres/hubs should do, and

importantly the ‘social capital’ they generate.

These quotations are provided in this way to help maintain the focus in regard to the main

objective of this Study – what type of community centre can Berriwillock achieve and sustain

that will benefit most of the community?

‘Social capital refers to the institutions, relationships, and norms that shape the quality and

quantity of a society's social interactions. Increasing evidence shows that social cohesion is

critical for societies to prosper economically and for development to be sustainable. Social

capital is not just the sum of the institutions which underpin a society – it is the glue that holds

them together.’

‘What is social capital?’, http://web.worldbank.org January, 2012

Community Hubs:

• Create a sense of belonging and community

• Allow different people to meet and interact

• Create an important focal point for community activity

• Bring people together and build a sense of place

• Increase efficiencies in the built form

• Provide better return on infrastructure costs as they enable multiple service providers to share

facilities over an increased span of hours.

Sustainable Communities –Infrastructure Development Guidelines, City of Greater Geelong, October 2010

http://web.worldbank.org/





Contents

1. Executive Summary ....................................................................................6

1.1 Introduction............................................................................................. 6

1.2 The Partners ............................................................................................ 6

1.3 The Stakeholders ..................................................................................... 6

1.4 Small Rural Community Context ................................................................ 7

1.5 Service Profile .......................................................................................... 7

1.6 Recommendations.................................................................................... 9

2. The Study................................................................................................. 11

2.1 Project Background ................................................................................ 11

2.2 The Partners .......................................................................................... 13

2.3 Project Scope ........................................................................................ 13

2.4 Project Management .............................................................................. 13

2.5 Methodology .......................................................................................... 14

2.6 Consultation .......................................................................................... 14

2.5 Country Fire Authority ............................................................................ 19

2.6 The Concept -Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre...................... 21

2.7 Community Benefits ............................................................................... 22

2.8 Summary of the Capital Development Plan .............................................. 23

2.9 Governance and Management................................................................. 24

2.10 Business Plan Summary .......................................................................... 25

3. Berriwillock ............................................................................................. 27

3.1 Berriwillock Historical Context ................................................................. 28

3.2 Berriwillock Economy ............................................................................. 28

3.3 Berriwillock and District Community ........................................................ 30

3.4 Health and Wellbeing ............................................................................. 33

3.5 Findings ................................................................................................ 34

4. Policy and Program Context .................................................................... 35

4.1 Australian Government ........................................................................... 35

4.2 Victorian Government ............................................................................. 36

4.3 Indicators of Community Strength ........................................................... 37

5. Community Groups and Facilities ............................................................ 38

5.1 Current Groups and use of facilities ......................................................... 38

5.2 Condition of Social Infrastructure ............................................................ 43

5.3 Sites Identified and Considered ............................................................... 45

5.4 Preferred and Recommended Sites .......................................................... 46





5.6 Findings ................................................................................................ 47

6. Capital Funding ....................................................................................... 48

6.1 Costs for Community Centre Component ................................................. 48

6.2 Capital funding sources .......................................................................... 49

6.3 Milestones ............................................................................................. 53

7. Governance and Management ................................................................. 54

7.1 Proposed Governance and Management Model ........................................ 55

8. Business Plan........................................................................................... 58

8.1 Recurrent Income .................................................................................. 59

8.3 Recurrent Expenditure ............................................................................ 59

8.4 Indicative Annual Facility Operating Costs ............................................... 60

8.5 Indicative Annual Income and Expenditure .............................................. 62

8.6 Usage Profile ......................................................................................... 63

8.7 Risk Management .................................................................................. 64

8.8 Marketing .............................................................................................. 65

9. Conclusion ............................................................................................... 66

9.1 Recommendations.................................................................................. 66

9.2 Benefits ................................................................................................. 67

Appendices ....................................................................................................... 69

Appendix A: Victorian Government Funding Programs....................................... 69

Appendix B: Hire Charges and Indicative Utilisation .......................................... 70

Attachments ..................................................................................................... 71

Attachment A: Council Offer to CFA ................................................................. 71

Attachment B: DSE In-Principle Agreement for lease of Easement Area between

81 & 89 Taverner Street, Berriwillock ................................................................ 72

10. Endnotes .................................................................................................. 74





1. Executive Summary

1.1 Introduction

The Berriwillock Community Development Group and the Berriwillock Building Committee the

Buloke Shire Council commissioned Baade Harbour Australia (Architects) and Clark Phillips

(Service and Business Planners) the consultant team. The feasibility study was funded by the

Department of Planning and Community Development Victoria.1

The project has been managed by a Steering Committee comprising representatives of the

community, the CFA, the Buloke Shire Council and Victorian Government Departments in

consultation with the Berriwillock and district community.

The Feasibility Study addresses the feasibility of a Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre.

The study has been presented in two volumes.

Volume One – Service and Business Plan

Volume Two – Capital Plan

The Service Plan is based on evidence based data and the findings resulting from the extensive

community and key stakeholder consultation process. It has identified local community

strengths, capacity and needs.

The Business Plan presents the preferred option and cost benefit analysis. The aim is to

provide the basis to pursue opportunities to deliver a high quality, sustainable community multi-

purpose facility with indoor and outdoor recreation and activity spaces.

1.2 The Partners

The project a community partnership has been formed, aiming to improve and connect

community facilities in the sub-region. The partners include:


Country Fire Authority-Loddon Mallee Region and Berriwillock Brigade



1.3 The Stakeholders

The project stakeholders include:

The Berriwillock and District community

The Berriwillock local traders and agricultural co-operatives

The partners





Victorian Government

o Department of Planning and Community Development

o Department of Regional Development

o Department of Health

o Department of Human Services

Australian Government, Regional Development Australia

The members of the proposed Berriwillock Multi-purpose Centre User Groups

Agricultural workforce and visitors

1.4 Small Rural Community Context

Rural communities such as Berriwillock cohere strongly around self-determination and self-

sufficiency.

The Berriwillock and District communities have experienced long periods of drought (1997-

2010) followed by significant floods (2011-12).

The Shire of Buloke has a very strong identity as a community of people who work together in

volunteer organisations and less formal groups, tackling community needs and projects with

their own commitment. Berriwillock reflects this with its wide number of associations and

lengthy history of ‘doing things locally.’

Both the Australian and Victorian Governments recognise this spirit of self-help. The best spirit

though, needs support and intervention at times. Berriwillock’s community buildings are no

longer able to adequately provide for community uses. Importantly, there is now a strong

cultural commitment at all levels of government to shared community facilities where in the one

place groups and people can gather, meet, celebrate, support and assist each other.

The development of a sustainable, integrated facility efficiency is gained as well as the

effectiveness of people meeting in collaboration at the rural version of the ‘village hall.’

The poor existing conditions of community facilities has impacted on the number of activities

and functions members of the catchment area are able to undertake in Berriwillock. The current

facilities do not meet current accessibility, health, safety, sustainability and building code

regulations.

Regional events are often held in other towns with better facilities.

1.5 Service Profile

The service profile includes capacity to develop future functions if construction is staged due to

funding procurement.

The functional outcomes derived from the extensive consultation:

Emergency capacity

Berriwillock CFA Facility on separate title owned by the CFA with priority and shared

access to Multi-purpose Room 3 abutting the fire station, and access to amenities to

cater for meetings, training and training.





Sport and recreation

Berriwillock Bowling Club will utilise a dedicated office, change rooms with showers

and will have access and priority use of the multi-purpose room 1 with a view over the

Bowling Green

There is an opportunity for the swimming pool and recreation area to be connected

along the pedestrian access.

Hospitality and Multi-purpose functions

The kitchen and kiosk areas with an internal servery is available to cater for all

groups, gatherings, causal and formal, community meals

The foyer area allows people to gather and view the information and exhibition space

which will house the Berriwillock Historical Society photograph collection.

The combined multi-purpose rooms open into a space to accommodate 150 people

seated for events, performances, school plays, film nights, celebrations, award nights,

guest speakers, health information forums, sports indoor training, and funerals.

The Multi-purpose rooms will be utilised by the following groups on a regular basis:

o Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers Football and Netball Club

o Mallee Track Health Services, Home and Community Care, Social Support

Planned Activity Group

o Birchip Cropping Group meetings

o Berriwillock Grain Storage Co-operative meetings

o Cemetery Trust Meetings

o Birchip Business and Learning Centre group training

o Berriwillock Fitness group sessions

o Berriwillock Building Committee

o Berriwillock Community Development Group

o Berriwillock Historical Society

o Berriwillock Playgroup

o Berriwillock Silo Committee

o Berriwillock Building Committee

o Floral Arts Group

o Landmark

o Swimming Pool Committee

o Buloke Shire Council

Health and community services

The consulting and office spaces will be utilised by:

Buloke Shire Maternal and Child Health

Agricultural Consultants

Central Mallee Osteopathy

Mallee Track Health Services, Sea Lake Hospital Outreach Group


These spaces will provide access to internet technology, homework spaces and other

information media. There is capacity for volunteer development.





Sustainability

Baade Harbour Australia has incorporated the key principles of Ecologically Sustainable Design

including energy efficiency, solar design, sustainable materials, sustainable construction

processes, and enhancement of the social environment. The design aims to conserve and

enhance the community’s resources.

When the Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre is completed there will be capacity to

continue to increase utilisation, particularly through marketing the venue to the surrounding

communities in the District and visiting services.

Economic benefit

The concept will have flow on effects for the General Store and Hardware, the Post Office and

the Hotel.

The need to attract and support itinerant agricultural workers during the harvest season was

identified as a high priority. The multi-purpose centre will provide access to amenities and food

services for itinerant workers. This could be linked to better utilisation of the short stay

accommodation at the hotel relieving the pressure on the local farming workforce.

1.6 Recommendations

The Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre is a sustainable opportunity for Berriwillock

and District. It will assist the Buloke Shire Council to enrich the community and the region.

The key findings of the Business Plan, based on the information provided, found that the

Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre provide long term community benefit due to:

The accessible location which will provide a focal point for the township and the

district.

The size of the combined sites provides capacity for existing and new activities and

events

The capacity to provide amenities and indoor facilities for visitors

Regular usage of the building totalling at least 1,400 hours per year

The suitability of the site for the proposed concept within the residential and rural

setting

The capacity to provide appropriate infrastructure to the site

Co-location of Berriwillock CFA Brigade and Berriwillock Bowling Club

Income through hire fees, ‘recoveries’ (excluding recoveries from the Council and

CFA) is estimated at around $5,970 in 2013-2014 based on the Buloke Shire Council,

Birchip Public Halls and Senior Citizens Centres 2011.

Expenditure is calculated to total approximately $6,450 in 2013-2014

Continued demand for suitable amenities

Potential increase in usage

Council support





Recommendation 1 The Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre proceed to be

developed at the consolidated site including 69, 73 and 81

Taverner Street and the leasing of the DSE easement at the

estimated capital development cost of $1,573,000 including the

Bowling Club and in partnership with the co-joining Berriwillock

CFA Brigade. The benefits include: sufficient size, flat land;

inclusion of all groups; satisfies CFA requirements; is located off

the highway – access & safety and is accessible and within

walking distance to other facilities.

Recommendation 2 Buloke Shire Council and the Berriwillock Community

Development Group Inc. submit applications to the respective

agencies of the Victorian and Australian Governments to obtain

the necessary capital funding of up to $672,000 to complete

the total project.

Recommendation 3 The proposed governance and management groups continue to

formalise the ‘Code of Access and Usage’ for the Berriwillock

Multi-purpose Community Centre.

Recommendation 4 The Berriwillock Community Development Group Inc., other

community groups, and the Buloke Shire Council jointly develop

an active marketing plan for the Berriwillock Multi-purpose

Community Centre as a central hub to showcase the District

and township.

Recommendation 5 The Berriwillock Community Development Group Inc. liaise with

Mallee Track Health Services for the provision of visiting health

information and wellbeing services.

Recommendation 6 Any surplus funds and fundraising by the community be

directed towards providing furniture and fittings for the facility.





2. The Study

Baade Harbour Australia Pty Ltd (BHA) and Clark Phillips Pty Ltd (Clark Phillips) have been

engaged by Buloke Shire Council to conduct an objective assessment of the feasibility of

establishing a Multi-purpose Community Centre in Berriwillock. This study has also included the

development of a Business Plan, Model of Management and Financial Strategy.

The study is presented in two volumes.

Volume One – Services and Business Plan

Volume Two – Capital Plan

The Service and Business Plan is based on evidence based data and the findings resulting from

the extensive community consultation. It has identified local community strengths, capacity

and needs. The Business Plan presents the preferred option and cost benefit analysis. The aim

is to provide the Steering Committee and stakeholders with a basis to pursue opportunities to

deliver a high quality, sustainable community multi-purpose facility designed to service current

and future communities of, and visitors to, the Berriwillock District.

2.1 Project Background

The meeting place subcommittee was formed to consult with the community on the type of

facility required and possible site options. Two site options were developed, one at the bowling

club and one in the main street.

The Berriwillock Building Committee was formed under the auspices of the Berriwillock

Community Development Group to organise the construction of a new Community Centre.

Project History

The following provides a summary of the project history including the community consultation

and planning that led to the application under the Department of Planning and Community

Development (DPCD) for a Victorian Community Support Grant in November 2009 for funding

to undertake a feasibility study.

Figure 1 Project Chronology

Date What Happened

November 2003

The Berriwillock Community Development Group (BCDG) began discussing

the need for improved meeting facilities in the township. Previous Mayor,

retired farmer, wrote to the then Berriwillock Social and Welfare* proposing

a new meeting place for the town.

December 2004 Public meeting - ‘what facilities does our community need for the future?’

(34 people in attendance plus representative from the Shire) It was agreed

that a new facility was required and one possibility would be to attach it to

the bowling club.

March 2005 A Community Planning Day (29 people in attendance plus an independent

facilitator) developed the Berriwillock Community Plan. One of the six key

areas of action was to ‘have a meeting place that meets our community

needs.’





Date What Happened

June 2005 Berriwillock Meeting Place Subcommittee formed to develop a series of

options for improved facilities, including renovations and new buildings, and

hold a vote on the preferred proposal. Eight members plus two additional

members invited on from the Bowling Club once it was identified as a

potential site

July-August 2005 Survey of existing facilities in town. Buloke Shire Recreation Plan

conducted. (Refer below)

December 2005 Concept plans drawn up for two preferred options, one in the main street

and the other at the Bowling Club. (Draftsman in Swan Hill)

April 2006 Information night. 35 people in attendance.

April 2006 Vote on general need for a new facility and preferred site. 100 votes. The

main street site (Arts & Craft Building) was the preferred site.

April 2006 Berriwillock Building Committee elected

October 2006 100 community members voted on the preferred site, with the majority

voting for the main street site, and to include a community hall as well as a

meeting room in the new facility.

June 2007 Berriwillock Community Development Group meeting voted unanimously to

hold a second vote. (22 people in attendance)

August 2007 After further discussion it was determined the bowling club was the more

suitable site and at a public information evening in August 2007, the

community voted for the bowling club site as the preferred site.

Public vote identified the Bowling Club as the new preferred site. (48

votes.)

October 2007 Assessment of a number of draftsmen and architects. TGA Architects,

Bendigo, appointed to develop concept plans

November 2007 - Negotiations conducted regarding purchase of the block next door to the

site. Decision to include the Maternal and Child Health Services in the new

Community Centre.

March 2008 A Community Opportunity Workshop was organised by the Buloke Shire

Council for Berriwillock in March 2008. The Workshop confirmed the need

for a new (community) building in town as a key priority of the community.

( 33 participants plus four representatives from Council)

June 2008 Concept plans received from TGA Architects

September 2008 Presentation to Buloke Shire Council meeting A Community

September 2009 Public meeting to present concept plans and discuss Feasibility Study. (23

people in attendance plus five representatives from Council)





The Buloke Shire Recreation Plan 2005, recognised the importance of recreation services

as a strong identified need in small communities across the shire and ‘never more essential than

in these periods of hard economic times experienced in recent years’.

‘In recognising these impacts, it is equally important to recognise that in order to collectively

survive the hardships, social, recreation and cultural opportunities are often the glue that holds

communities together.

In large communities, the diversity and scope of opportunity is generally more available than

that which exists within the smaller townships. It is therefore essential that a minimum core

range of community facilities be provided within all townships in order to maintain community

connectedness.’2

2.2 The Partners

Through the project a community partnership has been formed, aiming to improve community

infrastructure in the district. The partners include the Buloke Shire Council, the Berriwillock and

District Community, the Country Fire Authority (Loddon Mallee Region and Berriwillock Brigade)

and the Berriwillock Bowling Club.

2.3 Project Scope

BHA and Clark Phillips have analysed and provided strategic advice to Buloke Shire Council in

relation to:

The existing standards of facilities for community use within Berriwillock township

The trends and issues related to outreach service provision, health and safety

regulations and community expectations for a minimum standard for meeting and

event facilities and their impact on the Berriwillock and district community

The management options for the Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre

including detailed capital costs, indicative operating cost, potential funding sources,

and the ability of Council and the local community to finance the construction,

operation and management of the facility

High level designs for the development of a proposed Multi-purpose Berriwillock Multi-

purpose Community Centre

Justification for the Multi-purpose centre and the rationale for the recommended

scope of the project

Project implementation options including the preferred project management approach

to realise the concept and financing options

2.4 Project Management

Buloke Shire Council formed a Project Steering Committee with representation from the

Berriwillock and district community and Council to guide and manage the project.

Representatives from the Country Fire Authority (CFA) were invited to join the committee

following the CFA’s expressed interest in investing a joint use facility.





2.5 Methodology

The development of this Feasibility Study has involved local community participation to

determine current and future community needs and how a Multi-purpose community centre

could be a significant asset to promote community strengthening and capacity building.

The service profile has been developed through

Aligning government and local authority criteria for planning and priorities of the

Buloke Shire, Loddon Mallee Region, Victoria Government Department of Planning and

Community Development, Regional Development Victoria, and Regional Development

Australia.

Aligning the future profile with the community’s changing needs and the need to

consolidate resources to sustain community organisations and groups

Extensive consultation with the local community, partners and key stakeholders;

identifying community strengths, capacity and needs and opportunities to address

these needs; investigating community linkages; consideration of current community

infrastructure; and placing high priority on coordination and shared outcomes.

Responding in a practical way to the issues identified and investigating community

linkages

Research to develop innovative and flexible approaches to planning and funding

Validating the findings with local organisations and the community to ensure that the

determination and implementation of the service profile will be locally led

Validating the usage and requirements to benchmark against social infrastructure for

long term management and community benefit- this included addressing the

principles of viability and sustainability.

Contingency options for staging the facility should funding take longer to procure than

anticipated.

The Business Plan has placed a high priority on coordination of partnership planning and shared

outcomes based on evidence of commitment to achieve the shared goals and provide optimal

governance and management model for the facility.

The Capital Plan has included concept development based on the agreed service profile, site

investigation and selection, and an estimation of cost.

2.6 Consultation

‘Strong communities are inclusive. They embrace cultural diversity, have strong social networks

between people, and have good facilities and infrastructure. Communities that encourage their

citizens to participate in all areas of life- work, sport, recreation and culture; have a better

quality of life and are healthier. Everyone benefits when communities are safe, resilient, vibrant

and confident.’

South Australian Department for Communities and Social Inclusion3

This section outlines the consultation undertaken with the community and service providers,

and the required spaces and associated functions determined through consultation to foster

community wellbeing and capacity building.





Interviews with key local stakeholders

Interviews were undertaken with identified key local stakeholders to enable an in-depth

appreciation of the Berriwillock community, the state and capacity of local social infrastructure,

and local needs.

Community Forums

Three community forums were held in Berriwillock. These were publicised by Council with

representatives of community groups invited to attend as well as a general invitation to the

broader community.

Initial Forum – 20 April 2011 ‘Options and Issues’ – Identifying local needs,

challenges and opportunities

The Hall was utilised.

Fifty five people from 17 families attended the community barbeque. The average (mean) age

of attendees was 38 years.

Key Responses

The community confirmed the need for a Multi-purpose community facility to promote

community engagement and capacity building

The poor state of current infrastructure was raised and in particular the Berriwillock

Hall. The inadequacies of the design and fit-out, and the inappropriate location were

raised

The opportunity for co-location of the Berriwillock Bowling Club facility in a Multi-

purpose facility was discussed

Possible sites were identified and discussed.

The following table shows the potential uses and users for a multi-purpose centre, identified at

the forum.

Table 3. Summary of expressed uses and users – Berriwillock Multi-purpose

Community Centre

Utilisation Number of families

Large social function 17

Small personal gatherings 16

Organisation meeting 15

Guest speakers 14

Visiting health service 14

Awards night 12

Plays/performances 12

Film 11

Exhibitions 10





Utilisation Number of families

Music/dance 10

Seniors gathering 9

Craft/indoor activity 9

Play groups and Family-in-venue Day Care 8

Local produce market 6

Internet access 6

Other suggestions included:

Preventative programs - Health checks, e.g. Men’s health

Museum

Good kitchen for catering

Women’s forums or Women’s gatherings

Suggestions to attract people from outside Berriwillock included:

Improved Sustainability and Environmental aspects, innovative building e.g. straw

bales

Improved Quality facilities- Heating & Cooling and Comfortable facility

Access to Public internet

Good signage for the Township to provide a Gateway for Berriwillock

Appropriate space for the HACC, Planned Activity Groups conducted by Mallee Track

Health Services

Awards nights for regional sporting associations

Involve school children from Sea Lake, Birchip and District in landscaping or

decoration and provide Movies and Children’s activities

Good Acoustics

Community Survey – January 2012:

The survey was undertaken as a mail-out in late 2011 to the Berriwillock community.

The mail-out contained information on the various site options and invited opinion as

to preference for location of the community centre

The Taverner Street site was overwhelming supported as the preferred site.

Second Forum – 24 May 2011: Confirming Usage, Spaces and Functions.

The second forum provided opportunities for further discussion.

Areas and functions were confirmed

Concept designs were presented and discussed

Additional Consultation

Consultation was also undertaken with representatives of local businesses and groups, sub-

regional service providers, and schools.





Through the community survey and feedback and further consultation, the following area and

function requirements were determined.

The survey cited above was undertaken as a mail-out in late 2011 to the Berriwillock

community. The mail-out contained information on the various site options and invited opinion

as to preference for location of the community centre. As at early January 2011, 51 responses

had been received (46% of the 110 surveys issued) with 49 responses (96%) endorsing the

Taverner Street development.

Table 1 Proposed Area and Functional Requirements

Area Function

Circulation/Foyer Space Welcoming and gathering space, information and display.

Combined Multi-purpose

Rooms

For up to 150 people seated for events such as performances

and information and up to 100 people seated for occasions

such as dinners and celebrations. The Multi-purpose space is

able to be partitioned into three Multi-purpose areas. Operable

dividing walls for flexibility and to reduce operating costs.

Smaller spaces for activities, meetings and other uses as

appropriate.

Community Kitchen Able to be used by community groups and caterers to allow for

heating of meals and some food preparation (Note: Compliant

with Food Safety regulations)

Kiosk To be used for small gatherings

Office/Consulting Room For use by visiting services including Maternal and Child Health

or any group or individual who requires a temporary office

space

Community Store Storage area to be utilised by community groups utilising the

facility

Additional Spaces for Berriwillock Bowling Club

Office (Bowling Club) Dedicated office for the Bowling Club

Change Rooms Male and Female Change Rooms with showers

The Berriwillock Bowling Club will have access to one of the Multi-purpose rooms and the

kiosk during practice and competition times as well as during their regular social occasions.

Berriwillock Brigade CFA – Fire Station co-located on the designated proportion of the site to

form a single facility, sharing the multipurpose room three and kitchen amenities

Site Selection

The following section describes site selection considerations and further community consultation

to determine the community’s preferred site and concept plan.





Criteria for Decision Making

A number of primary criteria were used to assist the community in choosing a preferred site.

These included:

A preference for minimising any purchase of land as local funding for any project is

limited and existing community and/or government-owned sites are available for

redevelopment

As the CFA emerged as a viable co-location partner the preferred site would need to

be central in Berriwillock and in a location where emergency vehicles could

access/egress without difficulty

Best practice community centres are located centrally in terms of community access

and visibility

A suitably sized land envelope would be required as three complementary but co-

locating usages would be placed together, i.e. the CFA, community centre and the

bowling club. Whilst able to share space the land envelope and facility still needs to

allow for independent or dedicated uses that are not impeded by other concurrent

usages

Best practice community centres target Multi-purpose usage. Land sites should not

restrict popular practices. Locations near the geographical centres of townships are

preferred as they quickly become part of a community ‘hub’ or focal point of

community activity

New community centres play both a social and economic role. Socially they should be

near the heart or activity area of a township. This enables the centre to have a prime

association with the township’s core identity. In economic terms it is not uncommon

for community centres to generate appropriate retail or professional services that seek

to locate near a community centre. This adds to a township’s array of service

provision and boosts both the local economy and employment

High public visibility promotes use and access to a community centre and also

provides safety in terms of preventing vandalism and/or burglary

A site should prevent development of a facility that is fully compliant in terms of

accessibility for those with limited mobility or other access issues

Adequate car parking should be available within the site for services deemed of

essential access. Adjacent off-street car parking should be available for other users.

Users such as young parents/carers should not have to walk long distances to access

the centre

Where relevant there should be good proximity to public transport stops and services

The site’s size should allow for on-site set-back street-scaping, i.e. pleasant open

space and access presentation

The site should have good pedestrian access and not encourage pedestrians to make

any dangerous cross-over choices

The site should be located where night-time street lighting helps illuminate the centre.

This helps with preventing trips and falls as well as encouraging safety in general

The site should allow access for such as community buses and other multi-conveyance

vehicles

The site should allow for expansion in the future if possible





The site should have a minimum of building removal activity (i.e. clear-site) and

where possible contaminated land should be avoided unless remedial measures are

ensured.

Third Forum – February 2012: Confirming Site and Concept Plan

The Taverner Street Site was confirmed as the preferred site

The Concept Design provided by BHA Australia was discussed and confirmed

Presentation to Council – March 2012

Council accepted the community recommendations and the proposal and more detailed work

was formulated to consolidate the concept with the key partners the CFA and Berriwillock

Brigade, the Berriwillock Community Development Group and the Berriwillock Bowling Club.

The Councillors reiterated their preference to construct the facility as a whole rather than stage

the building due to funding shortfalls if grants are not able to be synchronised. However,

staging will be applied as a contingency plan if there are delays or shortfalls in funding. The

plan is to construct the facility across two Council budget periods. A draft Council budget,

currently on public exhibition, proposes an allocation of $600,000 in the 2012-13 financial year

confirming Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre as a priority community project. It is

also proposed to allocated a further $200,000 in the 2013-14 financial year.

Validation Survey – May 2012

Following a period of community consultation, inclusive of public meetings, a survey and

consultations with stakeholders, preference was expressed strongly for the development of a

community centre as a consolidated-site presence involving several lots in Taverner Street,

Berriwillock.

The partners responded in writing confirming their participation and commitment to the

development: Berriwillock Bowling Club, Berriwillock Grain Storage Co-op and Moulamein Grain

Co-op, Central Mallee Osteopathy, Berri Fitness, Mallee Track Health Services – HACC,

Berriwillock Swimming Pool Committee, Berriwillock Silo Committee, Birchip Cropping Group,

Birchip Business and Learning Centre, and a number of community groups.

Expression of Interest

A draft Expression of Interest is being developed for submission to the Putting Locals First

program with the Department of Regional Development Victoria (RDV) for $500,000.

Fourth Community Forum to confirm Final Concept – August 2012

The Draft Study was presentation to the community on the 10th of August 2012. This forum

confirmed the governance and management model, partnership implementation and the

Concept Plan

2.5 Country Fire Authority

The Victorian Government has committed funding to provide the Berriwillock Country Fire

Authority Brigade with a 1B facility to replace the current facility in Taverner Street.





The potential to design a single, joint use facility that met the needs of the community and the

CFA was identified as a proposal worthy of further investigation by Council and the CFA. CFA

support for a joint facility was conditional on such a facility being built in Taverner Street or as

near as possible to the Calder Highway.

Through discussion at the local, regional and state levels it was determined that there were

mutual service and community benefits through co-location provided that ownership, facility

compliance, access and responsibilities were clearly defined, documented and agreed. CFA

design and costing requirements must be consistent with the specifications of a 1B status

station.

These requirements have been considered in the site determination, development of the

Concept Plan and costings.

Through consultation with the CFA, it has been determined that:

The CFA manages the design and construction of its own facilities and external areas.

The CFA expect to have sole use and sole right of access to the fire station

component of the facility.

The CFA does not want to see the process for the design and funding of the Multi-

purpose centre delay the planning and construction of a new CFA station.

The CFA requirements are to be met by June 2013.

If the Multi-purpose centre is delayed, the CFA could, if funded, design and construct

a new station with the potential to link to the Multi-purpose centre in the future.

The CFA component of a Multi-purpose facility needs to be able to be shut down or

secured from other uses.

The CFA already have a protocol in practice at other sites that allows other community

groups to use their designated Multi-purpose space when it is not being used by the

CFA.

It was suggested that the CFA talk to the Council about the purchase of land or a

contribution to the purchase of land. CFA ownership of part of the facility and site

could be through a strata title. The design of the facility could be completed in

accordance with land titles if the land is jointly purchased by the Council and CFA.

The CFA has considerable experience with joint land occupancy arrangements.

CFA space to contain a sub meter for utility supplies.

In early January 2012, the Buloke Shire Council wrote to the Berriwillock CFA as a follow up to

a July 2011 discussion regarding a combined CFA and Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community

Centre development. The Shire proposed that the CFA sell its site at a nominal amount to

Council thereby allowing the consolidation of 69, 73 and 81 Taverner Street into the larger lot

under Shire ownership. (Refer to Appendix B). This will then enable the site to be zoned to

show the ‘specific purpose and sole use’ CFA designated area, creating clear governance and

management of such area, with priority of access to Multipurpose room, and in the case of

emergency the facility. The ownership of the title remains that of the Buloke Shire Council

across the consolidated area.





Such an agreement is dependent upon:

‘The Feasibility Study determining that that the Proposed Development should

proceed,

Council securing funding for the Proposed Development, and

The CFA occupying part of the Proposed Development for the operation of a 1B (CFA)

Status Station pursuant to an agreement with Council.’

The Shire and the CFA are entering into a Joint Use and Management Agreement (Heads of

Agreement) in regard to the ownership, management and operation of the co-located facility.

2.6 The Concept -Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre

Figure 2 Concept Design

Service Concept

‘Community facilities accommodate and promote many opportunities for participation,

contribute to a range of health, learning and community safety benefits, cultivate a sense of

belonging and respect for diversity, and increase the success of reaching out to isolated

groups.’

Building Infrastructure for Growing Communities, Victorian Government, 2009





The following concept has been developed to promote the community capacity building

outcomes.

Figure 3 Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre Service Concept

2.7 Community Benefits

The creation of a valuable asset will provide long term social and economic benefits for the

broader community through:

Improved infrastructure and services through a purpose designed Multi-purpose

facility that addresses that lack of appropriate infrastructure in the district

Increased business and employment opportunities through spaces for meeting,

planning and for training and the provision of a public access internet port

Improving peoples connections to resources, services, activities and each other

Improving health and wellbeing through including spaces for service providers to

deliver services locally, including health promotion, information and positive ageing

programs

Young people and community development and leadership, through a venue for

young people to meet and plan, and participate in activities, performances and events

Berriwillock

Multipurpose

Community Centre

Ecological Sustainability

Culture & Identity

Events, performance, functions, historical

displays

Access & Engagement

Welcoming space, intergenerational, children, young people, families, positive ageing,

visitors

Healthy

Communities

Sport & engagement, local & visiting services,

health promotion, information, active

spaces, Bowling Club

Personal

Development

Information, participation, life-long

learning, skill development

Working Together

Collaboration, support, meeting places, volunteering,

community safety,

Economic

Development

INTERNET, information, business promotion,

seasonal workers





A community kitchen providing increased capacity for events including the showcasing

of local produce and for social functions

Improving the community’s ability to respond to challenges and opportunities, local

decision making and volunteering that continues to build people’s skills

Encouraging increasing sport and recreation participation

Increasing community access to leisure opportunities

A community facility that can be used by harvest and transport workers in the district

Environmentally sustainable design

2.8 Summary of the Capital Development Plan

The following provides a summary of the information used to inform the business plan. [Refer

to Volume 2 – The Capital Development Plan]

The Preferred Site

Eight potential sites were investigated. These included the Recreation Reserve; the former

Primary School; 35 Taverner Street; the existing Hall; Victrack land; the Arts and Craft Centre;

the Hotel; the Bowling Club; and the Swimming Pool sites.

The CFA support for a joint facility was conditional on such a facility being built in Taverner

Street or as near as possible to the Calder Highway. Inclusion of the CFA and Bowling Club

would require a site area around 4,000 square metres. Further investigation was focussed on

the possibility of obtaining a combined site, being 69, 73 and 81 Taverner Street. The

consolidated site was confirmed by the community as the preferred location, at the community

forum held on 10 February 2012.

Council has entered into an arrangement with the owner of 69 Taverner Street to purchase the

property if the project is funded. The CFA owns 73 Taverner Street and Council owns 81

Taverner Street. The sites will be consolidated and then subdivided to provide clear title to the

the Buloke Shire Council and a Heads of Agreement between the Buloke Shire Council to

provide the CFA with clear specific purpose management, sole use and secure access for the 1B

Fire Station, and joint use for the multi-purpose areas.

Cost Estimate and Capital Development Plan

The Total Project Cost as at September 2013 is estimated at $1,115,000 excluding the Bowling

Club and $1,573,000 including the Bowling Club and the bowling green ($210,000).

Costs do not include those associated with the CFA facility, which are already budgeted.

Note:

1. All figures exclude GST, Asbestos Removal, Adverse Soil Conditions, Demolition,

Planning Permit conditions, loose FF&E, site engineering upgrade (e.g. power supply),

special equipment and stage equipment and Land Purchase costs

2. Cost Estimates are based on Rawlinsons Australian Construction Handbook (Edition 29-

2011) and BHA’s recent community projects

3. Landscaping /Courtyards Cost estimate is for hard landscaping only (i.e. excludes

garden beds etc.)





4. The cost estimate does not include any contribution from CFA for component of Multi-

purpose Room, or from any other possible contributors.

Project Timeline

Council has budgeted to support the capital project over two financial years; 2012-2013

providing $600,000 and a further $200,000 in 2013-2014. The capital project is estimated to

be completed by September 2013, based on a nine month construction period.

Capital Funding Plan

Council will need to investigate opportunities outside of the annual budget process.

Discussions have been held with Regional Development Victoria (RDV) and the Department of

Planning and Community Development (DPCD) regarding avenues for possible funding support.

Philanthropic Grants are another avenue for funding support. However, these grants tend to be

smaller and consequently applications would need to be made to a number of Trusts.

The community organisations and businesses have been invited to contribute to the project.

The Berriwillock Bowling Club is willing to make a significant contribution of $10,000, assets to

complete the project, and in-kind support.

Table 2 Potential Capital Funding Plan

Contributor Contribution

Buloke Shire Council* $800,000

Berriwillock Bowling Club and District Community $15,000

CFA** $50,000

Government Grant – RDV $500,000

Philanthropic Grants or other Government Grants $172,000

Total $1,537,000

* Council has budgeted for a contribution of $800,000 across two financial years; 2012-13 and

2013-14.

** CFA funding relates to the Multi-purpose Room 3 area and is subject to a Heads of

Agreement with the Buloke Shire Council currently being developed.

2.9 Governance and Management

The following model shows the proposed governance and management arrangement for the

Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre. Council will own the facility and provide a

peppercorn lease for the facility to Berriwillock Community Development Group Inc. It will be

important for Council to provide a liaison and support role through the continuing project

development and during the initial years of operation.

Council and the CFA are developing a Heads of Agreement for the co-joined operations of the

Centre.

Berriwillock Community is a proactive community as evidenced by the Berriwillock Community

Website.





Figure 4 Governance

2.10 Business Plan Summary

Assumptions

Hire rates increased by 3% every two years

Operating costs will increase by the Consumer Price Index per annum.

Consumable costs will increase by 3% per annum. Consumables have been costed at

$1,200 for the first year.

Cleaning will be carried out by the community

Insurances will be met by the CFA, Bowling Club and Council

The Bowling Club will make an annual contribution to the Berriwillock Community

Development Group Inc. This to be initially in the order of $1,500 for the first two

years then indexed at CPI (Indicative 2.5%). The Bowling Club will have free access

to their areas

Arrangements for use of other areas of the facility by the Bowling Club will be

negotiated between Berriwillock Community Development Group Inc. and the


Berriwillock Multipurpose Community Centre – User Group - Berriwillock CFA Brigade - Berriwillock Bowling Club - Berriwillock Silo

Committee - Birchip Cropping Group - Cemetery Trust - Berri Fitness - Berriwillock Business and

Learning Centre - Central Mallee

Osteopathy - Mallee Track Health

Services, HACC- PAG - Swimming Pool

Committee General Users: -Sea Lake Nandaly Netball

and Football Club

- Berriwillock Community





The CFA will make a contribution to the capital development for use of a Multi-

purpose room and other areas. Arrangements to be covered in a Heads of Agreement

between Council and the CFA.

The Buloke Shire Council will be responsible for maintenance and upgrades of the

facility

The Berriwillock Community Development Group Inc. will oversee the User Group fund

raising and initiatives to achieve break even outcomes for the Multi-purpose Centre

and provide in-kind volunteer support for grounds and internal facility management.

Financial Projections

The following table shows a financial scenario base on indicated usage, hire charges based on

those charged by Council in other communities, and indicative operating costs, for a ten-year

period.

Table 3 Financial Projections 2014-2024

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Income $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Income from Hire 4,471 4,463 4,588 4,540 4,667 4,615 4,744 4,689 4,820 4,761

Recoveries - Bowling Club

1,500 1,500 1,538 1,576 1,615 1,656 1,697 1,740 1,783 1,828

Total Income 5,971 5,963 6,126 6,116 6,282 6,271 6,441 6,429 6,603 6,589

Expenditure

Operating Costs 4,750 4,893 5,039 5,190 5,346 5,507 5,672 5,842 6,017 6,198

Consumables 1,200 1,236 1,273 1,311 1,351 1,391 1,433 1,476 1,520 1,566

Marketing

500

500

Total Expenditure 6,450 6,629 6,312 6,502 6,697 6,898 7,105 7,318 7,537 7,763

Profit/ Loss -479 -666 -187 -386 -414 -627 -663 -889 -934 -1,175


240 336 107 200 214 327 363 489 534 675

Fundraising and Initiatives

239 330 80 186 200 300 300 400 400 500

Break Even Point 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Note: The above estimates do not include CFA contribution to the Multi-purpose Room 3 for

operating costs as the agreement is under negotiation.

The Income from Hire is less than the utilisation indicated by the user groups to provide a

conservative position. Refer to Appendix D where the Income from Hire based on surveys

resulted in $4,471 to be returned in year one.

In conclusion, the partnership, governance and community management provides a sustainable

and enduring outcome if the consolidation of effort is focused on the multi-purpose facility and

not dispersed as is the current situation.





3. Berriwillock Figure 5 Buloke Shire

Berriwillock: Road Distance to Buloke Townships

Larger Townships:

o Birchip : 53 km

o Charlton: 87 km

o Donald: 92 km

o Sea Lake: 20 km

o Wycheproof: 57 km

Smaller Townships:

o Culgoa: 14 km

o Nandaly: 53 km

o Nullawil: 31 km

o Watchem: 63 km

The communities of Berriwillock, Sea Lake, Culgoa,

Nullawil and Nandaly have forged strong links through

their history, their industry, their sports and recreation,

their schooling and their services.

The Mallee Football League was formed in 1997 from the

merger of the Northern Mallee and Southern Mallee Football

Leagues:

Beulah ‘Blues’, Hopetoun ‘Devils’, Jeparit-Rainbow ‘Lakers’,

Ouyen United ‘Demons’, Sea Lake-Nandaly ‘Tigers’ (2003),

Walpeup-Underbool ‘Kangaroos’, Woomelang-Lascelles ‘Cats’





Figure 6 Berriwillock Locality Context

3.1 Berriwillock Historical Context

Berriwillock was settled in 1890. Squatters occupied most of the Mallee land in north-west

Victoria in the early years of settlement, but in 1891 pastoral leases were granted in 320 acre

lots for the purpose of cultivation. Many were taken up in the area and later a community

formed.

Early critical dates include:

1891 The earliest building in Berriwillock was a wine shanty in Bindaboo Avenue

1895 A school was opened in the hall

1896 Berriwillock was proclaimed a town

1899 The first postmaster was appointed to Berriwillock

3.2 Berriwillock Economy

Berriwillock is at the centre of a major grain growing area of Victoria.

The Shire of Buloke is in the heart of the State’s wheat belt. Consequently, agriculture,

especially grain and sheep production, is the major industry. Other important sectors include

retail trade, health and community services and education.4

A recent adjunct to on-farm storage is the development of local grain co-operatives. These are

in storage facilities developed by local farmers to augment grain storage facilities provided by

major companies, but at less cost. For example, a co-operative storage facility at Boort in





central Victoria has 60,000 tonnes of shared capacity. Similar storage facilities have been built

at Werneth, north-west of Geelong, Berriwillock in north-west Victoria and at Moulamein in

southwest NSW.

Larger and more consistent yields, due to improved grain quality, economies of scale in

production and drought resistant crops and farming practices. Better farm yields combined with

more efficient headers, which can harvest 35 tonnes of grain per hour compared with 8 tonnes

per hour twenty years ago, has added to pressure on grain storage capacity.5

Farmers have an incentive to harvest their crops as quickly as possible. Higher farm yields,

combined with increased grain marketing options to farmers and the enables farmers to take

advantage of spot pricing opportunities provided by marketers in either the domestic or export

markets. Grain stored on-farm is transported by truck for either domestic or export purposes.

Farmers across the district are reliant on seasonal workers during harvest times. The

enumerated population, in the Berriwillock State Suburb, aged 20-54 was 129 people with

approximately 36% (46 people) engaged in agriculture.6

This has created increased demand for accommodation and access to meals and food services

for truck drivers in Berriwillock. There are very limited facilities for these workers and their

families. Many have utilised the public toilets at the swimming pool but do not have access to

showers or food after hours.

In past times, accommodation was available at the hotel and several families were able to put

their caravan at the public park and swimming pool site. A central facility with toilets, showers,

kitchen and multi-purpose spaces will help to attract these workers to the district.

The Multi-purpose Community Centre could provide a service centre for this workforce.

Agriculture

Victoria’s grain farms are predominantly located in Western and Northern Victoria, with the

majority in the Mallee and Wimmera regions.

Victoria’s grain farms are primarily family run enterprises characterised by a large number of

small farms and a small number of large farms.

In 2009-10, Victoria produced 3 million tonnes of wheat, 1.87 million tonnes of barley, 331

thousand tonnes of Canola, 300 thousand tonnes of oats for grain, and 33 thousand tonnes of

other major crops, on 3.2 million hectares of land.

In 2009-10, Victoria’s grain exports were valued at $686 million, an increase of $40 million on

the previous year.

In the Mallee Region in 2006, 799 people were directly employed in grain growing and 1,286

directly employed in grain growing plus beef or sheep7.

Climate Variability

The Birchip Cropping Group commissioned qualitative research8 into the experiences and

perceptions of farm households in the wheat/sheep zone of the Wimmera/Southern Mallee

region of northwest Victoria during a period of striking change including an extended drought

followed by significant floods.

Key findings include:





People’s engagement with the rural community is becoming less place-based

Advisors and farmer groups are widely valued for intellectual and social support

There are numerous basic improvements needed to support rural communities

The report concludes that quality of life in rural areas underpins farm household resilience and

that there are two main sorts of assistance needed to build this resilience:

Well-funded community based initiatives to contribute to well-being and standard of

living including the improvement of infrastructure and basic services, and

Well-funded, community-led discussion about the broad issues confronting farm

households

VIC DPI advised on 5 January 2011, that most crops delivered well above average yields,

commonly twice the long term average and in some cases record yields, although quality was

variable and crops harvested following December rainfall were mostly downgraded to feed

quality.

VIC DPI advised on 18 January 2011 that as a result of rainfall and flooding, that for Northern

Victoria harvesting was 70–80 per cent complete and they expected that 25–40 per cent of the

unharvested crops, predominantly wheat, would not be harvested post flood. Further, for crops

that would be harvested grain quality would likely be downgraded. National Rural Advisory

Council notes that despite crop losses and quality downgrades the majority of crops in the area

have been harvested and yields have been predominantly well above average.9

There is a need to provide community meeting facilities for joined up planning, discussion

spaces and agricultural consulting spaces.

3.3 Berriwillock and District Community

Population characteristics

The Census 2011 data for Berriwillock State Suburb provides an indication of the Berriwillock

District, i.e. inclusive of Willangie, Sutton, Watchupga, Jil Jil, Curyo and Whirly and the

surrounding residents who relate to the township. This is appropriate as Berriwillock is a

service-centre to the surrounding farming population.

The median age of people in Berriwillock (State Suburb) was 45 years. Children aged 0 - 14

years made up 21.5% of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 15.3% of

the population.

Berriwillock State Suburb in comparison to Regional Victoria in 2011, has:

A significantly higher proportion of males (54.5% c.f. 49.2%).

A higher proportion of those aged between 5 and 14 (17.5% c.f. 11.7%)

A lower proportion of those aged between 15 and 24 (10.9% c.f. 35.9%)

A similar proportion of those aged 55 to 64 (13.4% c.f. 13.5%)

A significantly high number of those aged >65

A significantly lower weekly household income ($863 c.f. $960)

Other characteristics include:

A low population of residents born overseas (3.75%).

The significant minority of lone person households (29.3%).

A median household weekly income which is 10% less than that of Regional Victoria.





A strong presence of families with children, with couple families (63.5%) and single

parent families (9.6%) compared with couple families without children (26.9%).

Between 2006 and 2011, the population (enumerated) of the Buloke (S) – North

Statistical Local Area declined from 3,316 to 3,097.

Population Change

Berriwillock is located in the Buloke (S) – North Statistical Local Area (SLA). As with many rural

areas in Victoria the population of the SLA is projected to decline.

In Buloke (S) – North, the estimated residential population is projected to decrease from 3,470

in 2006, to 3,384 in 2011 and 3,055 in 2021. Over this period the population is also projected

to age with the proportion of the population aged 60 years and over projected to increase from

27.8 per cent at 2006 to 32.2 per cent at 2011 and 38.2 per cent at 2021.(Victoria in Future –

Second Release, 2008, Department of Planning and Community Development).

The Buloke (S)- North (SLA) time series enumerated population showed a decline of 219 people

from the 2006 to the 2011 Census. The estimated residential population at this statistical level

is not yet available.

Note the ABS statistical geographic classification for the State Suburb area of Berriwillock has

reduced significantly since the 2006 Census from 1,524.5 square kilometres (km2) to 1,010.4

(km2) in 2011 Census. Therefore population change at this smaller geographical area cannot

be compared between censuses. The population change evidences the need to provide

infrastructure for a seasonal workforce to sustain the agricultural economy of the area.

The following Chart shows the change across population age groups. The data indicates a

continuing need to provide local infrastructure that promotes engagement and capacity building

across the ages.

Figure 7 Buloke (S) - North SLA Population Change 2006 to 2011

Other characteristics derived from the 2006 Census (ABS next release is in October 2012):

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

0-4 5-14 15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 85 +

No. Persons

Age Group

2006

2011





A labour force that is nearly 70% working full-time (high).

A large proportion of people classified as managerial status according to the number

of people managing agricultural businesses (farms).

A high outright ownership of the family home.

A small rental market in Berriwillock (21 properties at Census 2006) that is all directly

commercial, not State Housing Authority or through real estate agents.

Anecdotal evidence gathered during the consultations indicates that there is currently no

housing available for rent in the township. New residents are moving in, having sold property in

other locations and finding cheaper housing available in Berriwillock. It is important to connect

these new residents into the local community.

In Berriwillock new residents are moving in and purchasing the lower priced housing available

and properties are being purchased for storage purposes.

It is important to connect these new residents into the local community.

Socio-economic Disadvantage

Berriwillock State Suburb 2006 has an Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSD)

score of 1035 ranking it in the 6th Decile. Areas with scores above 1000 are considered less

disadvantaged than those with scores below 1000. However, a collection district within the

State Suburb has an IRSD Score of 902, the lowest within the Shire. The Buloke Shire itself has

an IRSD score of 971 ranking it as the 21st most disadvantaged Local Government Area out of

79 in Victoria and placing it in the 3rd Decile.

Indicators of Community Strength

The Victorian Department of Planning & Community Development (DPCD) has established

‘indicators of community strength’ for communities to gauge community opinion on positive and

negative aspects of their social environments. The indicator results are developed from surveys

that pose questions to members of communities in regard to how they feel about community

cohesion.

The Buloke community expressed a need to re-invigorate and determine its own destiny. Such a

positive outlook reflects a social scenario where infrastructure such as a multi-purpose

community centre would be a vital community asset in full use by the community and for the

development of much needed workforce to sustain the agricultural output achieved by the

district.

The data indicates that Buloke residents:

Want to participate

Volunteer in the community

Go to community events, get involved in community events and actions

Keep their environments safe and welcoming for all

Have the opportunity to contribute ideas and voice options on important matters

Are members of decision-making bodies and groups that work on issues

Feel valued by society for their efforts

Require facilities and services

Buloke residents highlighted a lack of facilities and services in the Shire.





3.4 Health and Wellbeing

The following table provides a snapshot of health and wellbeing characteristics of Buloke Shire

residents in comparison to Victorian residents as a whole.

Table 4 Buloke Shire characteristics in comparison to Victoria 2006

Characteristic Buloke Victoria

Index of Relative Social Socio-Economic Disadvantage 970.6 NA

% of population near public transport 29.7% 72.6%

Male Life Expectancy 76.9 79.9

Female Life Expectancy 83.8 84.3

Hospital inpatient separations per 1,000 population 515.4 422.0

Emergency Department presentations per 1,000 population 173.1 249.9

General Practitioners per 1,000 population 1.1 1.0

General Practitioner Attendances per 1,000 population 5,653 4,809

Primary Health Occasions of service per 1,000 population 273.7 163.7

Total Acute Care Sensitive Conditions Rate / 1000 pop 48.39 32.77

% with core activity need for assistance 6.3% 4.5%

% of people 75 years+ who live alone 4.4% 2.2%

Indicators of Community Strength: Shire of Buloke Compared to Regional VictoriaRegional

VictoriaBuloke Difference

Favours

Buloke

Indicators 2008 (%) 2008 (%)

Amenity

Easy access to recreational & leisure facilities 79.0% 74.4% -4.6%

Good facilities and services like shops, childcare, schools, libraries 78.0% 64.2% -13.8%

Opportunities to volunteer in local groups 76.0% 87.8% 11.8%

A wide range of community & support groups 68.0% 73.3% 5.3%

An active community, people do things & get involved in local issues/activities 70.0% 88.4% 18.4%

Is a pleasant environment, nice streets, well planned, open spaces 87.7 1.90 84.0% 87.7% 3.7%

Ability to get help when needed

Can get help from friends family and neighbours when needed 92.0% 95.8% 3.8%

Can raise $2000 in two days in an emergency 86.0% 88.0% 2.0%

Community participation

Attendance at a local community event in the last 6 months 65.0% 85.5% 20.5%

Participation in organised sport 43.0% NA

Members of organised groups such as sports, church, community groups or professional associations 64.0% 78.1% 14.1%

Members of organised groups that have taken local action 49.0% 65.5% 16.5%

Volunteers (yes definitely and sometimes) 43.0% 63.9% 20.9%

Parental participation in schools 47.0% 78.1% 31.1%

On decision making board or committee 23.0% 39.7% 16.7%

Select outcomes

Safe on street after dark 65.0% 82.7% 17.7%

Multiculturalism makes life in the area better 65.0% 60.0% -5.0%

Opportunities to have a real say on issues that are important 47.0% 64.5% 17.5%

Feels valued by society 54.0% 69.6% 15.6%

Source: Department of Planning and Community Development (2010) Indicators of Community Strength at

the Local Government Area Level in Victoria 2008. The report includes a description of the rationale and

method for the creation of these data and can be found at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au





Characteristic Buloke Victoria

HACC clients aged 0-69 per 1,000 target population 467.5 257.3

HACC clients aged 70 years+ per 1,000 target population 628.9 368.3

Disability support pension recipients/1,000 eligible pop’n 80.6 53.7

Age pension recipients per 1,000 eligible population 612.9 655.7

Percentage who didn't complete Year 12 72.8% 51.3%

3.5 Findings

Berriwillock serves an ageing population which would otherwise need to travel

significant distance to maintain social connectedness.

Young families are also increasingly represented in Berriwillock, with some 30 children

travelling from the area each day to school in Sea Lake. The community centre may

present these families with important options for activities 'close to home' and

encourage much needed young families to remain in Berriwillock and the surrounding

farming area.

The health of the community and the limited public transport indicates a benefit from a

facility with spaces for visiting community health services and for information sessions

and activities that promote wellness.

The lower life expectancy for both males and females in Buloke (S) compared to

Victorians as a whole and the higher rates for hospitalisation indicate the need for

health promotion, information and screening services to be locally available.

A central ‘hub’ would provide a social gathering place for new residents, help to attract

seasonal workers to the district, promote engagement between the usual resident and

visiting populations, and improve quality of life for farming households and other

members of the community.





4. Policy and Program Context

4.1 Australian Government

The most relevant single access point for Australian community infrastructure policy and

support is Regional Development Australia (RDA) which is a national network of 55 committees

made up of local leaders who work with all levels of government, business and community

groups to support the development of their regions.10

The Committee responsible for the Shire of Buloke is the Loddon Mallee Committee. In addition

to Buloke, it covers the ten local government areas of Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields,

Greater Bendigo, Gannawarra, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mildura, Mount Alexander and Swan

Hill.

The Committee’s vision is ‘to enhance the liveability, productivity and sustainability of the

Loddon Mallee region. It will do this by working with the community and all levels of

government in a pro-active and collaborative way.’

The Loddon-Mallee Regional Strategic Plan – Northern Region (the Plan) (2011) notes in regard

to Buloke:

Its population is expected to fall due to contraction of agricultural industry, however

strategies are in place to address this.

Community connectedness in the sub-Region is strong, especially in Buloke which is

high in Victorian terms. [See ‘Indicators of Community Strength’ refer 3.4]

The Plan’s following goals are those immediately related to provision of a Berriwillock Multi-

purpose Community Centre:

Further developing the culture of support and collaboration that exists between

communities, industry and the public sector

Improving community connectedness, health and well-being, and reducing instances

of social disadvantage

Building on our thriving arts culture and improving participation in cultural and

recreational activities

Ensuring that our people have equitable access to health and community services

Develop community hubs for small towns such as in schools, CFA sheds, libraries or

other accessible locations to enable community access to facilities, ICT delivery,

community education programs and/or encourage increased participation in

community life [five year target]

Strengthen community leadership models to ensure there are effective regional

programs to identify and train community leaders and develop increased capacity for

effective participation in community groups and community life (five year target).





4.2 Victorian Government

‘Integrated community facilities are a vital component of creating healthy communities,

supporting social inclusion and enhancing the wellbeing of local residents. Communities with

access to high quality social infrastructure have better access to services and more

opportunities to participate in community life.’

A Guide to Delivering Community Precincts, Victorian Government Department of Planning and Community

Development, 2010

The Victorian Government’s commitment to rural regions is mainly through the Regional Growth

Fund (RGF) and, Regional Development Victoria (RDV).

The Victorian Government is committed to ‘a liveable regional Victoria’ that:

‘Gives high priority to maintaining and enhancing the liveability of regional cities,

towns and communities, retaining their character and improving their access to

services’ [and]

‘Provides an emphasis on developing new social, educational, recreational and cultural

services and facilities.’11

The RGF incorporates a grass roots approach to identifying and developing community-led

projects, while ensuring that wherever country Victorians live they have access to opportunities,

quality infrastructure and services.’

A number of RGF principles are particularly relevant to the proposed Berriwillock Multi-purpose

Community Centre:

Support of ‘community-led local initiatives that improve both the competitiveness and

liveability of regional and rural Victoria, creating more jobs and better career

opportunities.’

Commitment ‘to fostering local decision-making’

Commitment ‘to improving the quality of life for regional Victorians.’

Recognition of ‘the diversity of issues which confront regional communities.’

Commitment ‘to supporting the development of local solutions to address gaps in

infrastructure and services in regional communities.’

Reduction in ‘red tape’ so that approved capital projects can develop quickly via direct

funding to such as Local Government.12

Appendix A provides a description of the funding programs available.





4.3 Indicators of Community Strength

‘Integrated community facilities play a vital role in creating healthy communities, enhancing

wellbeing, building social networks and providing a resource for training, employment and

personal development.’

A Guide to Governing Shared Community Facilities, Victorian Government, Department of Planning and

Community Development, September 2010

Development of a Multi-purpose community centre is linked to how much a township feels

positive about itself and the strength of that commitment.

The Victorian Department of Planning & Community Development (DPCD) has worked to

establish ‘indicators of community strength’ that can be used with communities to gauge

community opinion on positive and negative aspects of their social environments. The indicator

results are developed from surveys that pose questions to members of communities in regard

to how they feel about community cohesion. (Refer 3.4)

‘What is community strengthening? Community strengthening is a sustained effort to increase

involvement and partnership among members of a community to achieve common objectives. It

involves local people, community organisations, government, business and philanthropic

organisations working together to achieve agreed social, economic and environmental

outcomes’

South Australian Department for Communities and Social Inclusion at http://www.dfc.sa.gov.au

The Berriwillock community has strong family values and is committed to providing locals with

opportunities for a healthy and active social and spiritual life. People of all ages and

backgrounds regularly play sport together and children are present at almost all community

functions. In recent years the town has held an annual bush dance which has been a great

event enjoyed by community members as young as three and older than ninety.13

http://www.dfc.sa.gov.au/





5. Community Groups and Facilities

The Berriwillock Community has a long history of involvement in local sporting, church and

other volunteer organisations. Although the involvement of local people has not diminished, the

number of activities and functions held locally has declined due to the lack of suitable venues of

an appropriate standard.

Currently, the Berriwillock Hall is the principal venue for larger community functions and

funerals. However, the Hall is not centrally located within the township and would need

considerable refurbishment to bring it up to a suitable state. The volunteer run Berriwillock

Bowling Club clubrooms are not of sufficient size to cater for large gatherings. The clubrooms

also require significant refurbishment.

Many of the existing buildings lack basic amenities such as indoor toilets, air conditioning and

heating etc. Regional events are usually held in other towns with better facilities. (Refer Volume

Two- Capital Development Plan for detailed analysis of existing conditions)

Community groups and facilities in Berriwillock are discussed below.

5.1 Current Groups and use of facilities

Community Infrastructure in Rural Areas

‘Social capital is likely to be healthier in most rural centres than in a city, due to the traditional

need to work together, the smaller scale of communities and their relationships to local

centres.’

Queensland Government, Implementation Guideline No. 5 – Social Infrastructure Planning, Office of Urban

Management, 200714

Berriwillock Public Hall

The 2005 Buloke Recreation Plan states ‘the current public hall is located away from the

township development and is separated by the highway. The building is ageing and requires

ongoing maintenance.’ The income from hire is used to meet recurrent costs and not facility

upgrades.

The Hall is the largest gathering place for the local community but lacks amenity and disability

access.

The Hall is able to seat up to 300 people for performances and around 200 people at tables for

celebrations and social functions. As the only large venue available it has recently been utilised

for a funeral and a wedding.

The facility current condition:

Lack of heating and cooling services

General condition discourages use

Poor acoustics

Limited opportunities for the community to undertake new and different activities

In need of a major upgrade, including maintenance, disabled persons access

No undercover drop off/pick up area at the front entry

Uncomfortable





Figure 1. Berriwillock Public Hall


The Berriwillock Bowling Club is located on Alexander Avenue in Berriwillock. The Club was

formed in 1957. The club currently has around 40 members.

The clubrooms were constructed around 50 years ago and are in need of an upgrade.

Figure 2. Berriwillock Bowling Club

Berriwillock Tennis Club

Competition is provided through the Tyrrell Tennis Association. Clubs under the association

include: Berriwillock, Culgoa, Lascelles, Nandaly, Sea Lake, & Woomelang. Competition includes

Pee Wee for ages five to seven years, Junior for ages eight years and over, two under 16 years

teams, two Open teams and two ladies teams. Approximately 50 people participate.

Berriwillock has won three tennis premierships.

The club is most active during the months of September to April when members participate in

the local Pennant competition (Ladies and Men’s); a Saturday afternoon local competition; a six

week night Pennant competition; and social and practice sessions on Wednesdays.





The club is part of the Murray Mallee Bowls Division, Victoria which includes the Tyrell Bowls

Division. Other clubs in the Association include Birchip, Culgoa, Quambatook, Sea Lake and

Woomelang. The Murray Valley Bowls Division, Sunraysia Bowls Division and the Northern

Districts Bowls Division. Berriwillock Bowlers played in the Men’s Pairs in the Victorian finals of

the State Championships at Wangaratta 2011.

The clubrooms are used by the community, however capacity is limited to around 60 people

seated at table for social functions.

There are two bowling greens, however the Bowling Club has indicated that they only require

one into the future.

The club has access to ample water for the greens and surrounds at no cost through an

arrangement to utilise water harvested from the silos. The club has recently installed new

lighting.

The roof needs replacing.

Figure 3. Berriwillock Tennis Club

Berriwillock Community Website 2011

Berriwillock Golf Club

Berriwillock Golf Course is located at the end of Morris St. It is a sand scrapes course in flat

Mallee country terrain, with elevated sand greens. Visitors are welcome and green fees are

under $10.00. Competition days are Wednesday (ladies), Saturday and Sunday.

Mallee Football and Netball Association

Football Club

The Recreation Reserve was once home to the Berriwillock Football Club. In 1975 Berriwillock

and Culgoa merged and in 2002 Berriwillock/Culgoa merged with Sealake Nandaly for the 2003

season to form what is now the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers. Berriwillock lost the name but were

able to retain their jumper. In 2009 the team won the Mallee League Football Premiership.

There are three games per year shared between Culgoa and Berriwillock home grounds.

The football club has its own clubrooms which include change rooms, showers and toilets.

There is no large community space for gatherings or functions.





Figure 4. Football Club Rooms

Berriwillock Community Website 2011

Twelve children from across Berriwillock, Culgoa, Sea Lake and Nandaly play Auskick in

Wycheproof.

Each weekend there are four grades of football played by participants from Berriwillock, Culgoa,

Sea Lake and Nandaly. The four grades are seniors (20 participants), Reserves (20

participants), Under 16s (18 participants) and Under 13s (15 participants).

Training previously conducted in Berriwillock is now conducted in Sea Lake reducing the usage

of the Berriwillock Hotel as the venue for food, drinks and socialisation after training and

games. There is discussion about rotating the annual dinner between the four towns which

would mean Berriwillock hosts the annual dinner once every four years.

Netball Club

The Mallee Netball Association competition is played in conjunction with the football

competition. There are six grades; A, B, C, Junior A, Junior B and Junior C, with people from

Berriwillock, Culgoa, Sea Lake and Nandaly participating. There are 20 participants playing

Senior A, B and C grades, 25 participants playing Junior A and B Grades (under 17 years),

seven participants playing Junior C grade (under 13 years) and 20 participants playing Fun

Netball. Participants’ ages range from five to 52 years. There are only two home games played

in Berriwillock per season.

Berriwillock Country Fire Authority Brigade

The Berriwillock County Fire Authority Brigade facility is located at 71 Taverner Street. The

Brigade is manned by trained volunteer members.

The Brigade is a member of the Tyrell Group in the North West Area.





Berriwillock Historial Society

The Berriwillock Historical Society are investigating the best ways to collect, collate and store

the towns and district memorabilia. Project options include public collection drives for photos

and memorabilia in people’s personal collections, public history meetings to share stories and

artefacts, recorded interviews of older citizens and taking new photos of buildings to be

demolished (this process has already commenced). A new centre would provide areas and

spaces for display and storage.

Berriwillock Play Group

The Playgroup meets at the Berriwillock Maternal and Child Health Centre. Meetings are held on

a weekday morning during school term, which is decided by the parents. Meetings run for two

to three hours with four to six parents and four to ten children.

Parent training sessions are held one to three times per year during school times. The day of

the week is decided by the parents and a session can run for between three and 6 hours. Up to

20 people attend.

Public Park and Swimming Pool

The public park and swimming pool are utilised extensively throughout the year.

The swimming pool is open:

4.00 pm to 7.00 pm (During School Days)

Weekends: 2.00 pm to 7.00 pm

2.00 pm to 7.00 pm During School Holidays and Public Holidays

The pool also features a covered toddlers pool.15

Other Infrastructure

The Golden Crown Hotel no longer provides a meal service

Mill’s General Store sells hardware and gifts and also has internet access

Café/Post Office

Landmark Rural Supplies sells farming supplies to the Berriwillock District community





Berriwillock Grain Co-operative

The ‘paddock’ is home to the new Berriwillock Grain Co-operative, a farmer-owned organisation

finding a niche alongside the grain industry's big players such as AWB and GrainCorp.

This is an industrial site capable of storing about 120,000 tonnes of grain in bunkers and silos.

The Co-operative took almost 30,000 tonnes of grain in its first season.

Annual Victorian Women on Farms Gathering

The people of Berriwillock have already demonstrated the potential for the town to become a

centre for community and cultural activity for the region. In 2008, Berriwillock hosted the 19th

Annual Victorian Women on Farms Gathering. Almost 200 women from across the state spent

the weekend in Berriwillock attending workshops and tours. Due to limited facilities in

Berriwillock, the main gathering dinner had to be held in Sea Lake, 20 kilometres away. Extra

expense was incurred in hiring toilets and showers, and general maintenance to make venues

safe. Considerable work and effort was required by volunteers to get facilities up to a standard

to host the event.

‘Stocks of social capital, such as trust, norms, and networks, tend to be self-reinforcing and

cumulative. Successful collaboration in one endeavour builds connections and trust – social

assets that facilitate future collaboration in other, unrelated tasks.’

‘The Prosperous Community, Social Capital and Public Life’,

Robert D. Putnam, The American Prospect, 1993.

5.2 Condition of Social Infrastructure

An overview of the current conditions, fixtures and fittings of social infrastructure in Berriwillock

was gathered in 2009.

The following table illustrates the need for considerable upgrades to a number of buildings to

ensure that they are accessible and are ‘fit for purpose’.





Table 2. Current Berriwillock Community Facility Features (from Buloke Shire Council, Community Support Fund Application 2009)

Facility Toilets Disabled

access

Heating Cooling Kitchen Storage Owner Needs

Maternal &

Child

Health

Yes, good No Yes, wall,

bar and fan

heaters

No Yes, sink and bar

fridge

Outside

shed,

lockable

Shire Drinking water, shade sail,

child proof fence, new play

equipment

Bowling

Club

Yes, good Limited No Yes Yes, with microwave,

fridge, urn, freezer,

cutlery, crockery

Cupboard,

lockable

Shire Stove, roof fixing, painting

Hall Yes, need

work

No Supper

room only

Yes, but

poor

Yes, with two stoves,

two fridges, cutlery,

crockery (limited), urn

Storage

room,

lockable

Shire Fridge, external doors,

painting inside, carpet,

veranda, stumping, floor

vinyl

Tennis

Club

No No No No Yes, 2 fridges, urn,

hot water service

No Rec

Reserve

Better lights, fence

Arts &

Crafts

Centre

No No Pot belly

stove

No Sink only, use urn

from pub

No Shire Kitchen, toilets, painting,

renovating

Football

Club

Yes, outside,

poor

condition

Yes into shed Yes, gas No 3 fridges, urn, deep

freeze, microwave, 2

stoves, heating ovens,

cutlery, crockery, BBQ

Lockup

cupboard

Rec

Reserve

New carpet, toilets

Golf Club Yes, outside,

also wash

rooms inside

No Yes, gas No Fridge, stove, urn

microwave, bar, drinks

fridge

Office,

lockable

Club Paving





5.3 Sites Identified and Considered

The following comments relate to community commentary and assessments of specific sites:

Bowling Club

In August 2007, the community voted for the Bowling Club site as the preferred option. The

Bowling Club is on Crown land and is currently zoned as a Township Zone. The club is run by a

Committee of Management. It is often used for social community activities.

The current condition of the Bowling Club, however, rates it as unsuitable for redevelopment.

The Bowling Club is also not near the main activity areas of Berriwillock and would not provide

the CFA a prominent position for access to calls for assistance.

Recreation Reserve

The site is currently Crown land and run by a Committee of Management. It is zoned as a Public

Park and Recreation Zone and it has an Environmental Significance Overlay. It is not as

accessible as other sites and development would have higher capital costs due to additional

road works. The Department of Sustainability and Environment does not favour converting

green space into built space, therefore it may be difficult to obtain a Planning Permit. This could

also influence funding applications related to the same Department.

Former Primary School

This site is privately owned and zoned as a Township Zone. It is considerably larger in land size

than is required. Purchase would therefore be relatively costly unless sub-division was to occur

which would produce its own costs and delays. There would be a reluctance to sub-divide

unless it could be established that both the intended community centre partition and the

remaining portioned land both had development targets planned in the near future.

Arts and Craft Centre

Located at 81 Taverner Street, owned by Council, and is currently zoned as a Township Zone.

The Centre is a hub in the township, however it was determined to be too small in size in its

own terms and would require consolidation with adjoining lots to allow for the development of

the community centre. On its own, at 2,070m², 81 Taverner Street could not be considered as

viable due to its land size being constrictive. However, considered in conjunction with adjoining

lots (an additional 1,956m²) then its location and increased size have attractive factors,

inclusive of joint project work with CFA, cost savings to all partners out of consolidating CFA,

community centre and [relocation of] the bowling club, as well as centrality of location.

Hotel

This site is privately owned and currently zoned as a Township Zone, however, the site is too

small for consideration. As with the Arts and Craft Centre site (when considered on its own

merits), the hotel location could not be considered as viable due to land size being constrictive.

Unlike the Arts and Craft Centre site, accessing of surrounding land envelopes is prohibitive in

potential cost.





Victrack Land

The site is privately owned and currently zoned as a Public Use and Transport Zone. It is

considered a hub in the township but it may be difficult to obtain a planning permit, i.e. a

rezoning of the site would be required.

Berriwillock Hall

The site is currently Crown land and run by a Committee of Management. It is zoned as a Farm

Zone and is remote from the township, separated by the highway, making it less accessible than

preferred. The Hall is an older timber construct and would require demolition or relocation to

allow for the community centre to be built. Demolition would likely upset a number of

Berriwillock residents due to the Hall’s age and place in Berriwillock’s history. Dis-assembly and

relocation to another site would add considerable cost to the community centre project in terms

of recurrent and capital costs.

35 Taverner Street

This site is a vacant block located between the Swimming Pool and the General Store. Whilst it

has proximity to the main street, location between two well utilised areas and high visibility

from the highway, it is constrained in size for a community centre. Development would require

purchase of private land that would be prohibitive in cost estimates for the proposed

community centre.

5.4 Preferred and Recommended Sites

The following two sites (in priority order) were identified as most suitable and further

investigated.

Swimming Pool

This is a privately owned site and zoned as a Township Zone. It is accessible for recreational

purposes. A redevelopment project would need to be considered here. Issues that present

include the cost/availability of adjoining and/or adjacent land, building effects upon the integrity

of the pool and its usage and co-location issues in terms of co-joined functions.

67, 69, 73 and 81 Taverner Street, DSE Easement

These lots have various backgrounds, i.e.:

67 Taverner Street was privately owned. The site was sold during the site selection

evaluation process

69 Taverner Street is privately owned and is used for storage purposes. Council has

made approaches to the owner to purchase the site

73 Taverner Street is the current location of the CFA which has been approved for

redevelopment of its Station in the 2012/13 financial year. As detailed elsewhere, the

CFA has expressed considerable interest in co-location with the proposed community

centre as long as development timelines and integral CFA activities were not

compromised

81 Taverner Street is the site currently used for Arts and Crafts Centre activities and is

owned by the Shire of Buloke. The Shire has endorsed use of 81 Taverner Street in a

community centre development project.





There is an easement that runs along North West boundary of 81 Taverner Street

which is a Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) holding i.e.

the land area protects such as water infrastructure located underground and access is

required to service this infrastructure. Council wrote to DSE in early January 2012 in

regard to potential lease of the site and appropriate incorporation into a community

centre development. A positive response has been received whereby usage has been

granted with no leasing costs required and with the requirement that the land remains

and easement; i.e. no building can be constructed on this land. (Refer to Appendix C).

The total land size of these three lots (69, 73 and 81 Taverner Street and DSE easement)

generates a single land holding of 4,206m². The consolidated site is large enough to

accommodate a joint CFA/Community Centre development and the Bowling Club and green.

Accordingly, the option of a community centre at a site formed out of the consolidation of lots

at 69, 73 and 81 Taverner Street, became the preferred option.

5.6 Findings

There is a strong sense of community pride within Berriwillock. Berriwillock has a high

level of community participation, spirit and cohesiveness. Sport, community service and

congregations play a defining role in the community and are all important mechanisms

to bring people together.

Community facilities need maintenance and/or replacement.

There is no large ‘fit for purpose’ gathering space for social events, functions,

celebrations and information sharing and planning.

There is insufficient space to house town memorabilia, historical artefacts or records

and all venues have very limited kitchen facilities.

The existing Maternal and Child Care facilities are out-dated and do not meet

Occupational Health and Safety guidelines to continue to be used for playgroup.

The existing facilities in town are also very poorly designed in terms of sustainability -

minimising energy and water use with little or no insulation, floor boards and

orientation.

A sustainably designed, single facility will enable Berriwillock to greatly reduce the carbon

footprint, whilst improving the standard and comfort for people attending functions. Events

such as the Annual Victorian Women on Farms Gathering and regional and sub-regional

events will be much easier to hold in Berriwillock with a purpose designed, Multi-purpose

centre.





6. Capital Funding

6.1 Costs for Community Centre Component

The net construction cost for the community centre component (i.e. excluding CFA and Bowling

Club costs) at May 2011 was $836,000.

Total project cost as of September 2013, excluding CFA and Bowling Club costs is $1,115,000.

Table 5 Potential Capital Funding Plan

Contributor Contribution

Buloke Shire Council* $800,000

Berriwillock District Community $15,000

Government Grants $500,000

CFA** $50,000

Philanthropic and other Grants $172,000

Total $1,537,000

* Council has budgeted for a contribution of $800,000 across two financial years; 2012-13 and

2013-14

** Subject to the Heads of Agreement arrangements

Partners

Additional costs associated with the inclusion of the Bowling Club in the centre are shown below

Table 6 Berriwillock Bowling Club Functional Space

Building Works Area m² Cost Estimate

Bowling Club Office 15 m² $24,000

Bowling Club Change Rooms 30 m² $63,000

Bowling Club Specific Works For

Landscaping & Courtyards

Not Applicable $15,000

Bowling Green (Synthetic) 1,444 m² $214,000

Bowling Green External Lights Relocate existing $8,000

Additional External Services Not Applicable $5,000

Additional design, locality and

construction costs


Bowling Club component of escalation

cost projections


Bowling Club component of fees, permits

and authority charges


TOTAL $433,000





In reference to the co-location and facility sharing arrangement proposed between the CFA and

Council it should be noted that the CFA will be funded fully for a 1B CFA Status facility. As the

1B CFA facility incorporates a Community Room the Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community

Centre Multi-purpose Room 3, 66.3 m² has been designed for this purpose.

As part of the Heads of Agreement the CFA will make a capital allocation to the community

centre’s multipurpose room and kitchen (if successful in acquiring funding).

Similarly the bowling club will be sharing use of the facility (Multi-purpose Room 1, 72.8 m²)

and has agreed to a capital contribution of $10,000, plus lighting and water tanks and other

equipment.

These contributions are made to the capital cost of the development and are treated separately

from recurrent operation costs.

Council has budgeted to support the capital project over two financial years; 2012-2013 and

2013-2014. The capital project is estimated to be completed by April 2014, based on a January

2013 start date.

Given the capital cost of the centre, Council will need to investigate opportunities outside of the

annual budget process.

It is recommended that Council and the Berriwillock community continue to vigorously pursue

funding support for the project at the local, state and national level.

Discussions have been held with the Victorian Government Departments of Planning and

Community Development and Regional Development Victoria. These discussions will need to

continue to identify potential funding streams. Government funding often requires matching

contributions from project partners, some of which may be in-kind. The Australian Government

is also a potential source of capital support.

The Berriwillock Bowling Club maintains the current facility and the greens through funds raised

by memberships and through social activities. It is assumed that the Bowling Club will make an

annual contribution to the operating expenses of the new facility

6.2 Capital funding sources

Grants Link

The Australian Government’s Grants Link site provides details of a range of capital funding and

assistance grants available from all departments of the Australian Government.

Australian Government – Regional Development Australia Fund

In March 2011 the Australian Government announced the $1 billion Regional Development

Australia Fund, designed to boost economic development in Australia’s regions. The key criteria

include a commitment to innovation and building capacity in local communities and the delivery

of concrete social and economic benefits.

Victorian Government - Regional Growth Fund, Putting Locals First Program

The Putting Locals First Program (PLFP) is a $100 million initiative designed to enable regional

communities to devise and deliver service and infrastructure responses which reflect local





priorities. The PLFP will support stronger and more sustainable regional communities by

building their capacity to drive development in the region.

The primary outcomes are:

Improved infrastructure, facilities and services – supporting well designed

infrastructure meeting local priorities and enabling improved and additional services

and activities

Increased business and employment opportunities – supporting local businesses for

growth and development through targeted projects that respond to local priorities and

generate job opportunities

Improved community connections – improving people’s connection to resources,

services, activities and each other

Community taking action on their own behalf – improving communities ability to

respond to challenges and opportunities, local decision making and volunteering that

builds peoples skills

Sustainability Victoria

Renewable energy grants and other sustainable aspects of the facility may be funded through

future funding rounds and programs.

Department of Planning and Community Development

The 2013-14 Community Facility Funding Program (CFFP) is now open for applications and

encouraged local sport and recreation clubs to contact their local council to discuss their project

proposals in order to apply for funds. Minor Facilities – grants of up to $100,000 to develop or

upgrade community sport and recreation facilities. This is part of the developing healthy

communities goal. To achieve this goal, quality community facilities that encourage local people

to participate in the activities as well as providing a social hub, particularly in regional areas will

be funded to achieve this. 16

Philanthropic Sources

Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), a joint Government initiative with

the philanthropic sector, was established in 2000 and listed as a deductible gift recipient (DGR)

in the tax law, to promote renewal, regeneration and development in rural and regional

Australia in social, economic, environment and cultural areas.

FRRR can receive tax deductible donations from regional community foundations and donors

within regions to use these funds exclusively for projects in those regions.

This measure allows the FRRR’s funding decisions to reflect the donors’ choice of geographic

region, and for donations to be used exclusively for projects in specified regions. FRRR will

remain responsible for assessing all community – funded projects against the established FRRR

criteria, and for ensuring that funded projects fall within the scope of FRRR purposes.

The measure provides an additional avenue for funding charitable rural and regional community

projects within the broad DGR policy framework, which will give certainty to community

foundations that local level fundraising and philanthropic efforts with their communities are

guaranteed to benefit their local community.17





CFA Facility Funding

The Berriwillock Fire Station has been approved for capital redevelopment in 2012-2013 as a 1B

(CFA) Status Station.

The following floor plan provides an understanding of the functional relationships and multi-

purpose capacity of the facility.





Figure 8 FLOOR PLAN: Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre





6.3 Milestones

Once funding for capital development has been approved, it is anticipated that the project could be completed within twenty months with a construction period of ten

months. Council has budgeted to support the capital project over two financial years; 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. The capital project is estimated to be completed by

April 2014, based on a January 2013 start date, subject to funding.

Table 1. Milestones

Notes:

1. It assumes no objections to Planning Permit

2. Program can be expedited if key target dates or specific capital expenditure are required to be met

3. Allowance has been included for 2 weeks formal approval at the end of each phase

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Schematic Design

Approval

Planning Permit

Design Development

Approval

Contract Documentation

Approval

Tender/Post Tender Report

Approval

Commence Building Works

Landscaping

Finish Building Works

ItemMonths




Volume 1/Final report 24082012

7. Governance and Management

‘Governance is about how your organisation is run - the structures and systems and

understandings that enable you to make the right decisions and set the right course.’

(Modern Governance and Community Groups 2007)

Governance refers to overall purpose and mission agreed by the Berriwillock community in use

of the community centre. Management refers to the way the community centre is operated.

The diagram below from the Queensland Department of Communities shows how

collaboration works effectively and has good application to the running of a community centre

Figure 9 - A Continuum of Integration




Volume 1/Final report 24082012

Collaborative practice involves community service organisations working together to achieve

shared goals. In the community services delivery system, collaboration is achieved when

organisations develop mechanisms - structures, processes and skills - for bridging

organisational and interpersonal differences, and together arrive at outcomes that they value.

Community service organisations generally collaborate to:

improve the quality or scope of service to their clients, and/or

provide administrative or service delivery efficiencies.

Committee of Management – Responsibilities and Good Practice Guidelines (March,

2011) which is referenced at the end of this Study. The Department of Education and Early

Childhood Development (DEECD), the Victorian Government A Guide To Governing Shared

Community Facilities18 offers advice on effective running of a Multi-purpose (or integrated)

community centre where there are a number of user group interests to be met.

DEECD has identified eight principles of good governance for shared facility partnerships:

Transparency decisions are based on clear criteria and are able to be scrutinised

Accountability responsibilities are clearly allocated to each partner

Participation each partner and other stakeholders have input into the operation of the

partnership and the facility

Consensus-oriented there is a shared understanding of the objectives and management of

the partnership

Responsiveness the partnership is able to respond to new circumstances

Effectiveness and the project matches the available resources and achieves the best

Efficiency possible result

Integrity and the project is delivered legally and ethically

Stewardship

Leadership all partners are responsible for the leadership and delivery of the project.

7.1 Proposed Governance and Management Model

Buloke Shire Council will be the owner of the centre. Council has, by nature of its business,

established policies, procedures and protocols for the management of Council owned

infrastructure.

Buloke Shire Council and the Country Fire Authority are developing a Heads of Agreement for

the management and operation of the co-joined facility.

Council will lease the Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre to the Berriwillock

Community Development Group Inc..

The following diagram describes the proposed governance and management model to achieve

the community capacity building outcomes.





Buloke Shire Council will project manage the building construction and provide ongoing liaison

and advisory support to the Berriwillock Community Development Group Inc., as a member of

the Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre Advisory Group.

Daily management of the facility will be undertaken by Berriwillock Community Development

Group Inc., excluding the CFA specific purpose Fire Station.

Under the proposed governance model, the Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre

Advisory Group would meet annually to advise on planning and sharing of resources; to provide

input into the ‘Code of Access and Usage’, and to support management. Local, Victorian and

Australian government representatives should be invited to attend.

The ‘Code of Access and Usage’ for the Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre is based

on:

The different groups sharing the facility recognise that their common purpose is to

make the community centre a great example of people working together

harmoniously, respecting each other’s needs and welcoming new users to the centre

The Berriwillock Community Development Group as an incorporated Association to be

informed by the User Group and Community Reference Group

The Berriwillock Community Development Group will disclose, and share knowledge

on a regular basis through the website and newsletter

Designated priority of use will be established for user groups according to conditions

of usage arrangements as agreed and documented

Innovative and new users shall be invited to the join in and share the benefit

Community use assets should be shared on a cost recovery basis

Berriwillock Multipurpose Community Centre – User Groups - Berriwillock CFA Brigade - Berriwillock Bowling Club - Berriwillock Silo

Committee - Birchip Cropping Group - Cemetery Trust - Berri Fitness - Berriwillock Business and

Learning Centre - Central Mallee

Osteopathy - Mallee Track Health

Services, HACC- PAG - Swimming Pool

Committee General Users: -Sea Lake Nandaly Netball

and Football Club

- Berriwillock Community





Practical application:

Community participation through half-yearly forums will build community

participation providing opportunities to join project groups or committees,

Facility maintenance is an important part of the responsible governance of shared

community facilities. The Berriwillock Community Development Group will be

responsible for the coordination of maintenance

Documented lease arrangements with the Buloke Shire Council for facility

maintenance.





8. Business Plan

The following section outlines the Business Plan for the Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community

Centre excluding the CFA Zone. For the purposes of this report, the CFA Zone has been

considered as a separate cost centre.

The active involvement of the community and key stakeholders throughout the study ensured

comprehensive evaluation of sustainability and viability.

The business plan is based on the following strategies:

Developing family and community participation

Creating multi-purpose places and spaces for all age groups

Promoting long term sustainability and viability

The sustainability of the Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Facility has been considered

through:

Recurrent funding

Budget and cash-flow estimates

Sources of funding and support

Capacity of the groups to cover recurrent maintenance costs

The need for long-term funding plans

Risk management

Vision

The Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre will be a central point for the community to

gather, plan and conduct community events and activities, and achieve all things that Berriwillock a safe and great place to live

Centre Aims and Objectives

The Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre aims to:

Provide a place where the people of Berriwillock can meet and hold events that

celebrate the Berriwillock community

Provide a place where a diversity of needs can be met within the one location.

Meet community wants and demands in a reasonable and sustainable way

Be managed efficiently and effectively.

Be a place from which community planning and needs can be targeted.

Encourage all Berriwillock citizens to meet and mingle.

Operate in a safe way in a safe environment





8.1 Recurrent Income

Recurrent income will principally come from user contributions and hire-out of the Centre. The

tables below show a likely profile for hire-out based on community feedback in forums and

consultation as well as typical community centre practices.

Income from non-Centred based activities (e.g.: revenue raising through a raffle, activity etc.)

is considered as fund raising as non-operational income. The income does not include ‘user-

pays’ contributions (example: a person wanting to make some photocopies).

Hire-out is based on a model of all groups using the Centre paying equitable hire rates that are

generated from the amount of the Centre they are hiring and whether that is in day hours (9

am to 5 pm) or night hours (5 pm to 1 am).

8.3 Recurrent Expenditure

All Centre hirers have incorporated into their notional hire charge the cost of any recurrent

effect upon the Centre (for instance, electricity and gas). The following costs are those that are

separate to hirers and would be part of the Berriwillock Community Development Group

responsibility to coordinate as overheads for the facility, i.e. they are for operation and

administration of the facility.

These are projected costs only. They are recurrent items only and do not include fit-out or

capital items.

The usage profile tables have been prepared on the basis that all users of the community

centre pay on an equitable basis for their usage.

As owner, Council may propose that Council uses and/or events should be cost-free or at

nominal hire cost. Should this arise the Berriwillock Community Development Group should

arrange this with Council so that a reasonable agreement can be reached. Recognition must be

given to the fact that the facility is government owned but the volunteer committee needs to

meet operational outgoings.

The following tables show:

Potential annual income from hire of facilities, based on usage data gathered through

the consultation and applying similar hire charges to those currently charged by

Council for their facilities

Indicative annual facility operating costs, based on potential usage data gathered

through the consultation

Indicative annual income and expenditure

Assumptions

1. All dollar figures described in these assumptions are for 2012.

2. Hire charges will be those listed in Table 8 below

3. Hire charges will be adjusted every two years. This has been set at an increase of 3.0%

4. Expenditure has been adjusted over the subsequent ten year period, at the rate of 3.0%

per annum.





5. The annual building operating costs for areas are indicative estimates only (Refer below

Table 7.)

6. Usage

A total of 1,400 hours (excluding CFA) of usage across the main spaces in the first

year is estimated, based on information provided

Functions are estimated to run for a maximum of eight hours (includes set up and

pack-up times)

Utilisation of any area includes use of the kiosk at no charge

Community Kitchen utilisation is calculated on groups using the events area for half,

full day and night hires. This has been included in the income and expenditure

calculations

Meetings and workshops are estimated to run for two hours unless otherwise

indicated

7. It will be the responsibility of regular users of the facility to meet the costs associated

with their use (excluding operating costs).

8. Users will be required to clean up after their use.

9. Cleaning: it is assumed that cleaning will be undertaken by volunteers. This does not

include cleaning of the CFA Zone.

10. Insurances: These to be met by the CFA and Council as per the Heads of Agreement

11. Marketing: an allowance of $500 per year has been made.

12. Consumables: an allowance of $1,200 for the first year of operation has been made for

consumables including cleaning products, tea and coffee.

13. Security is assumed to be electrical alarm and surveillance only, with no specific ongoing

costs

14. The Centre’s availability will be as per Table 7

8.4 Indicative Annual Facility Operating Costs

An indicative estimate of annual building operating costs is provided. (Note: Excludes the Fire

Station)





Table 7 Indicative annual building operating costs by functional area

Function Space

Opening Hours Total Available

Hours

Total Utilised Hours

Utilisation percentage

Area (m2)

$/m2 Annual Cost ($)

Partners and groups utilising

area

Office/ Consulting

Mon-Thurs 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-11pm

4500 50 1.1% 16 67 12 Berriwillock Historical Group, Community

Bowling Club Office

Mon-Thur 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-11pm

4500 768 17.1% 15 67 172 Bowling Club

Display Area Mon-Thur 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-1am

4800 1460 30.4% 70 67 1427 Berriwillock Historical Group, Craft Group

MPR - 1 (BC Shared) 768 + 212

Mon-Thur 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-11pm

4500 980 21.8% 72 75 1183 Landcare, Berriwillock Historical Group, Bowling Club, Tennis Club, CFA, Berriwillock Community Development Group

MPR - 1&2 Mon-Thur 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-11pm

4500 192 4.3% 145 75 465 Bowling Club, CFA, Berriwillock Historical Group, Craft Group

MPR - 1&2&3

Mon-Thur 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-1am

4800 288 6.0% 205 75 920 Bowling Club, Uniting Church, Tennis Club, Berriwillock Community Development Group

Kitchen Mon-Thur 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-1am

4800 288 6.0% 24 85 122 All MPR1&2&3 Hires

Kiosk Mon-Thur 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-1am

4800 1460 30.4% 12 85 310 All MPR1, MPR1&2, MPR1&2&3 Hires Plus Bowling Club

Toilets Mon-Thur 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-1am

4800 1460 30.4% 30 70 639 All Hires

Showers/Change Area

Mon-Thur 9am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-1am

4800 260 5.4% 30 85 138 Bowling Club

Annual Operating Cost

$4,749

Note: This is based on Rawlinsons Operating Costs of Buildings Edition 28 as a guide.





Costs estimates include Rates and Taxes, Air-conditioning, Energy, Sundries, and Void

Allowance.

Insurances for the facility will be held by Buloke Shire Council and by organisations for

their respective members and equipment

There are no lifts

Cleaning is undertaken by volunteers

Building staff and security is a volunteer or Council function

Repairs and maintenance will be a volunteer or Council function

Management is a volunteer function

Fire Protection will be undertaken by the Berriwillock CFA Brigade

Excludes depreciation

8.5 Indicative Annual Income and Expenditure

The following table shows a financial scenario base on indicative usage, hire charges based on

those charged by Council in other communities, and indicative operating costs, for a ten-year

period.

Table 8 Indicative Hire Rates

Area

Hire Rate ($)

Hourly Half Day Full Day Night

Office 5

Multi-purpose Room 10 30 60 60

2 X Multi-purpose Rooms

15 60 90 90

Full Event Space 25 80 120 120

Table 9 Financial Projections 2014-2024

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Income $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Income from Hire

4,471

4,463

4,588

4,540

4,667 4,615

4,744

4,689

4,820 4,761

Recoveries - Bowling Club

1,500

1,500

1,538

1,576

1,615 1,656

1,697

1,740

1,783 1,828

Total Income 5,971

5,963

6,126

6,116

6,282 6,271

6,441

6,429

6,603 6,589

Expenditure

Operating Costs 4,750

4,893

5,039

5,190

5,346 5,507

5,672

5,842

6,017 6,198

Consumables 1,200

1,236

1,273

1,311

1,351 1,391

1,433

1,476

1,520 1,566

Marketing 500

500

Total Expenditure

6,450

6,629

6,312

6,502

6,697 6,898

7,105

7,318

7,537 7,763

Profit/ Loss -479 -666 -187 -386 -414 -627 -663 -889 -934 -1,175

Buloke Shire Council 240 336 107 200 214 327 363 489 534 675

Fundraising and Initiatives 239 330 80 186 200 300 300 400 400 500

Break Even Point 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0





Note: this does not include CFA contribution to the Multi-purpose Room 3 for operating costs as

the agreement is under negotiation.

The Income from Hire is less than the utilisation indicated by the user groups to provide a

conservative position. Refer to Appendix B where the Income from Hire based on surveys

resulted in $5,890 to be returned in year one.

8.6 Usage Profile

Through community consultation, the following groups have identified they will utilise spaces at

the Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Facility.

Function Space Groups

Multi-purpose Room (single

room)

Landcare, Berriwillock Historical Group, Bowling Club, Tennis Club, CFA, Berriwillock Community Development Group,

Swimming Pool and Park, Recreation Reserve, Moulemain

Grain, Vic No Till Group, Berriwillock Grain Co-operative, Berriwillock Victorian Farmers Federation, Cemetery Trust, RSL

Combined Multi-

purpose Room 2 and 3

Bowling Club, CFA, Berriwillock Historical Group, Craft Group,

Swimming Pool and Park, Recreation Reserve, RSL, Berriwillock Victorian Farmers Federation, Cemetery Trust, Sea Lake Lions

Group, Berriwillock Grain Co-operative, Birchip Cropping Group, Fitness Group

Community Office Committee of Management use, Berriwillock Historical Group,

Other community groups

Bowling Club

Office

Bowling Club

Office/Consulting Room

Visiting service providers working on an outreach basis.

Kitchen Bowling Club, Craft Group, Tennis Club, CFA, Uniting Church,

Berriwillock Community Development Group, Swimming Pool and Park, Recreation Reserve, Moulemain Grain, Vic No Till

Group, Berriwillock Grain Co-operative, Cemetery Trust, Sea Lake Lions Group

Kiosk Swimming Pool, Recreation Reserve

BBQ Bowling Club, Sea Lake Lions Club

Combined Multi-purpose Rooms 1,

2 & 3

Bowling Club, Uniting Church, Tennis Club, Berriwillock Community Development Group, Swimming Pool and Park,

Recreation Reserve, Sea Lake Lions Club, Tyrell College, St Mary's Primary School, Cemetery Trust

Showers/Change

Area

Bowling Club

Toilets All

Display Area Berriwillock Historical Group, Craft Group, RSL





8.7 Risk Management

The major risks associated with the project have been identified as follows:

These risks can be mitigated through pro-active strategies.

Council, in partnership with the Berriwillock Community Development Group, will need to

actively pursue capital funding opportunities that present through government departments and

agencies as well as through other possible funding avenues.

Council and the Berriwillock Community Development Group will need to continue to keep the

community informed of the status of the project.

An agreed Code of Access and Usage will help to minimise any potential conflict between both

regular and occasional users.

Business Plan Review

It is recommended that the business plan be reviewed half-yearly by the Berriwillock

Community Development Group and the User Group, examining the following for ‘continuous

improvement’:

Projected usage for all aspects of the Centre

The SWOT analysis for the Centre

The mix of uses which will provide long term viability





Best estimate of the cash flow projection for the capital and recurrent cost estimates

and revenues

The standard and availability of programs which will maximise usage and cost

efficiency

Financial and program targets for cost centres of the Centre

The marketing plan

The effectiveness of the management structure and administrative procedures which

will ensure appropriate usage and quality opportunities for users

Appropriate usage costs for various aspects of the Centre

Operating expenses and income for the first 5 years of centre operation

The standard of equipment and construction needed to maximise usage and cost

efficiency

Indexation

Maximised usage and compatible functions is included in the design

Safety for all

Access for all age groups

Affordable hire rates

Viable service profile

Low maintenance

8.8 Marketing

The Berriwillock Community Development Group should continue to promote the benefits of the

centre to the Berriwillock District community and the broader sub-region and to encourage

usage across all functions.

This will be essential to ensuring that income from hires, grants and activities is commensurate

with expenditure. Any community expectations that hire of spaces should be at little or no cost

will need to be managed.





9. Conclusion

The Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre is a feasible, viable as a community asset,

and sustainable opportunity for Berriwillock and District and will assist the Buloke Shire Council

to enrich the community.

The key findings of the Business Plan, based on the information provided, found that the

Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre would be:

Feasible, due to

o The accessible location which will provide a focal point for the township and

the district.

o The size of the combined sites provides capacity for existing and new

activities and events

o The capacity to provide amenities and indoor facilities for visitors

o The suitability of the site for the proposed concept within the residential and

rural setting

o The capacity to provide appropriate infrastructure to the site

Viable, due to

o Co-location of Berriwillock CFA Brigade and Berriwillock Bowling Club

o Operating expenditure is calculated to total approximately $4,750 in 2013-14

o High level of volunteerism and in-kind contributions of consumables

o Operating income through co-contributions from community groups,

membership subscriptions and hirers

o Council support

Sustainable, due to

o Local demand

o Projected increase in usage

o Continued demand for suitable amenities

9.1 Recommendations

1. The Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre proceed to be developed at the

consolidated site including 69, 73 and 81 Taverner Street and the leasing of the DSE

easement at the estimated capital development cost of $1,573,000 including the Bowling

Club with new bowling green and in partnership with the co-joining Berriwillock CFA

Brigade. The benefits include: sufficient size, flat land; inclusion of all groups; satisfies

CFA requirements; is located off the highway – access & safety and is accessible and

within walking distance to other facilities.

2. Buloke Shire Council and the Berriwillock Community Development Group develop and

submit applications to the respective agencies of the Victorian and Australian

Governments to obtain the necessary capital funding

3. The proposed governance and management groups continue to formalise the ‘Code of

Access and Usage’ for the Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre.

4. The Berriwillock Community Development Group, other community groups, and the

Buloke Shire Council jointly develop an active marketing plan for the Berriwillock Multi-

purpose Community Centre as a central hub to showcase the area





5. Berriwillock Shire Council and Berriwillock Community Development Group liaise with

Mallee Track Health & Community Service for the provision of visiting health promotion,

information and wellbeing services

6. Surplus funds and fundraising by the community be directed towards providing furniture

and fittings for the facility

9.2 Benefits

There are many potential long term benefits for the communities and the local economy

through the creation of this valuable asset.

The Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre will provide capacity for:

Community connectedness and strengthening through spaces and amenities that

promote community gathering and planning

Youth development and leadership, providing a venue for young people to meet and

plan, and participate in activities, performances and events

Opportunities for local service provision through the Home and Community Care

Program – Planned Activity Groups

Spaces for learning and information

Health promotion through spaces for exercise and activity

A community kitchen and kiosk providing increased capacity for events and for social

functions

Improving the Shire’s Emergency Planning by providing an Emergency Relief Centre

The Berriwillock Multi-purpose Community Centre will support the local economy by

providing:

Welcoming spaces to attract visitors and provide indoor and external facilities for

families, campers and weekend visitors

Spaces that can be used for meetings, information, training and local planning

Access to office and internet facilities

Design

New works have centred on a flexible large space, space for circulation and display and the

community kitchen and kiosk. The siting of the kitchen and kiosk centralises the hospitality

function.

Linking internal and external spaces is a key feature.

The CFA Zone has been sited to provide efficient access and egress.

Sustainable design for lower operating costs - The combined site allows for

improved orientation of the facilities for sustainability.

Preventing duplication

The need for a large, fit for purpose community venue was identified. Currently, the Berriwillock

Hall is the principal venue for larger community functions and funerals. However, the Hall is

not centrally located within the township and would need considerable refurbishment to bring it

up to a suitable state. The volunteer run Berriwillock Bowling Club clubrooms are not of

sufficient size to cater for large gatherings.





Capacity to meet current and future needs

The creation of functional, attractive and affordable facilities will enable the community to

continue to grow in a cohesive, intergenerational manner.

The facility proposed in this study will be accessible for all, and child and family friendly.

Providing economic, environmental, social and community benefits

The Berriwillock Community Development Group has already been established and

promotes structured community planning

The facility will include new spaces for use by the Berriwillock CFA Brigade and the


The site is located in the township off the highway, allowing all age groups to access

the centre without encountering busy traffic

The larger gathering space will meet the needs of the current and future populations

The new facility will enable new uses for sub-regional and regional events, such as

annual dinners and bowls tournaments

The facility will support the volunteering ethos of the community by providing meeting

space for groups of all sizes

The capacity to expand local events, family celebrations, school concerts, sporting

award nights, performing arts, projection, provide health information nights,

education, provide community meals, and expand Home and Community Care activity

groups

The facility is to be zoned for utilities and cleaning.

It will provide a central focus for lone householders and a safe and affordable space

for families.

Viable and sustainable levels of utilisation and volunteering

Through the development of intergenerational activities, the provision of a meeting spaces for

the tennis club, a space for playgroup and many other community groups it will enable all ages

to participate.

Operational flexibility by providing multi-purpose and flexible spaces

The multi-purpose room would provide for both current activities and events including spaces

for the Seniors.

In 2010 Australia's Renewable Energy Target legislation increased financial incentives for

installing off the grid power systems. Installing systems on buildings more than a kilometre

from the main grid or who have evidence that it would cost in excess of $30,000 to connect to

mains power will be eligible to receive the Solar Credits multiplier for the first 20kW of their

system installed.

The Solar Hubs Program is a Victorian Government funding grant program as part of the Jobs

for the Future Economy - Victoria's Action Plan for Green Jobs. This program will help

communities reduce their carbon footprint, support innovation, develop Victoria's domestic PV

sector, educate and inform potential adopters of PV technology.

http://www.energymatters.com.au/government-rebates/solar-credits-australia.php





Appendices

Appendix A: Victorian Government Funding Programs

Regional Development Victoria - Putting Locals First Program

Improved infrastructure and services – supporting well designed infrastructure meeting local

priorities and enabling improved and additional service activities

Increased business and employment opportunities

Improving peoples connections to resources, services, activities and each other

Improving the community’s ability to respond to challenges and opportunities, local decision

making and volunteering that continues to build people’s skills

Projects Include:

Improved local Infrastructure: building or upgrading shared community facilities such as meeting

places, public halls and facilities supporting integration of organisations delivering services

Funding Available: Over $300,000 to a max of $500,000.

RDV$2: $1 other excluding land.





Appendix B: Hire Charges and Indicative Utilisation

Table 10 Hire Charges and Potential Income from Usage per Year

Hire Type Hourly Hire Half Day Hire Full Day Hire Full Night Hire

Area

Rate

($)

No

ho

urs/

year

Inco

me

/

Ye

ar ($)

Rate

($)

No

hire

s/

year

Inco

me

/ Y

ear ($

)

Rate

($)

No

hire

s/

year

Inco

me

/

Ye

ar ($)

Rate

($)

No

hire

s/

year

Inco

me

/ Y

ear ($

)

Total

Inco

me

($)

Office 5 25 125

125

Multi-purpose Room 1 10 88 880 30 28 840 60 1 60 60 0 0 1,780 Multi-purpose Room 1&2 15 0 0 60 15 900 90 13 90 90 0 0 990

Full Event Space 25

0 80 6 480 120 5 600 120 17 2040 3,120

Total Income 1,005 2,220 750 2,040 5,890





Attachments

Attachment A: Council Offer to CFA





Attachment B: DSE In-Principle Agreement for lease of Easement Area between

81 & 89 Taverner Street, Berriwillock





Disclaimer

The views of Clark Phillips in this report have necessarily been based upon information available or

supplied to Clark Phillips at the time that the Study was carried out.

Clark Phillips has not audited or otherwise sought to verify the information provided to it and

disclaims all liability relating to the accuracy or completeness of the information.

In addition, the views expressed by Clark Phillips on that information should only be regarded as

being current as at August 2012, being the time that the Study was carried out.

Other information may have become available since the Study was carried out which may

demonstrate that some of the views expressed by Clark Phillips may need to be revised in certain

respects.

This is not something that Clark Phillips can effectively deal with within the parameters of the study.





10. Endnotes

1 The Buloke Shire Council, Consultant Services – Feasibility Study Berriwillock Multipurpose Centre, 2011

2 Buloke Shire Recreation Plan 2005, Henshall and Associates

3 South Australian Department for Communities and Social Inclusion at http://www.dfc.sa.gov.au

4 Derived from http://berriwillock.vic.au/history, Victoria In Future, Victorian Government 2008 and www.abs.gov.au 5 Grain Logistics Taskforce Report, Department of Transport, Victoria 2011

6 ABS, Census 2006, Housing and Population, Id Consulting, Mallee Ward

7 Victorian Government, Regional Development Victoria, Regional Growth Fund, July, 2011,

8 Rickards, L. (2011) Critical Breaking Point: the effects of climate variability, change and other pressures on farm households.

Report for the Birchip Cropping Group and the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform Australia.

http://www.bcg.org.au/cb_pages/publications.php

9 National Rural Advisory Council, Northern Victoria Revised EC–Declared Area Assessment January 2011 10 RDA, http://www.rda.gov.au/

11 http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/about-us/research-and-policy/a-liveable-regional-victoria as at 11 January 2012.

12 Victorian Government, Regional Development Victoria, Regional Growth Fund, July, 2011

13 Buloke Shire Council, Department of Planning and Community Development, Victorian Community Support Grant

Application, 2009

14 From Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission 2009, Getting it Together: An Inquiry into the Sharing of

Government and Community Facilities, final report, September, 2009

15 Berriwillock Community Website, www.berriwillock.vic.au, 2011

16 Department of Planning and Community Development, Community Support and Recreation Sports Package, 20 May 2011

17 Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, Donation Account Program, 2010

18 Victorian Government , Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, A Guide To Governing Shared

Community Facilities

http://www.dfc.sa.gov.au/

http://berriwillock.vic.au/history

http://www.bcg.org.au/cb

http://www.rda.gov.au/

http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/about-us/research-and-policy/a-liveable-regional-victoria

http://www.berriwillock.vic.au/

berriwillock multi-purpose community centre feasibility

Documents