Hume council has called on the state government to put $9 million towards redeveloping Broadmeadows’ former town hall.
The $20.2 million redevelopment is one of three major projects the council has put forward for financial support from the $50 million Interface Growth Fund (IGF).
The IGF funding pool is available to 10 urban fringe councils, including Hume and Whittlesea, offering grants up to $10 million for infrastructure or community projects that are ready to start construction within six months of funds being allocated.
If successful, Hume council would contribute the remaining $11.2 million for the former town hall’s rejuvenation.
Hume mayor Adem Atmaca said the council was keen to revamp the 51-year-old building into Broadmeadows’ commercial and community activity centre.
“This iconic building has hosted a concert by AC/DC and speeches by Arthur Calwell and Paul Keating, but we have a plan that will ensure it supports our community like never before,” Cr Atmaca said.
The council’s application to the IGF also requested $200,000 towards a Newbury Place- Making Project, which has been designed to create a safe space between the soon-to-be built Craigieburn North-West Primary School and other council facilities.
“We’ve built Newbury Park and the Newbury Child and Community Centre, with work commencing in the next 12 months on the Hume Hockey Centre,” the mayor said. “Many young families will want to walk to these places once the school opens. Hume is determined to create a space that’s safe for children and their parents and to implement design principles that discourage crime.”
Funding for an interim Annadale community centre is also on the council’s wishlist. It has requested $500,000 for temporary preschool services, a maternal and child health centre and a community meeting space for the emerging Mickleham community.
The council’s funding proposals were submitted to Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins on Friday.
