Dallas Neighbourhood House (DNH) will take over the management of Broadmeadows Community Hub, marking a new chapter for one of the municipality’s key community facilities.
During the 27 October council meeting, councillors unanimously voted in favour of a plan to enter into an occupancy licence agreement with DNH, granting the organisation full operational management of the Broadmeadows Community Hub, excluding the council-run maternal and child health and early years programs.
The agreement will initially run for two years, with a further two-year option and annual reviews built into the plan to ensure smooth transition and accountability.
Council officers will work with DNH to finalise the license and implement an operational transition plan aimed at minimising disruption to the current user groups and services of the space in Broadmeadows.
Broadmeadows Community Hub was opened in 2013 and was purpose built to include DNH as a key tenant.
Cr Jim Overend said he was “very supportive” of the proposal.
“I have personally seen what Leanne and the team have done for the community and what they continue to do to help our residents that are in their time of need,” Cr Overend said.
The change comes after months of consultation and analysis of three operational models, with both DNH and council officers opting for an approach which would include full operational management conducted by DNH.
Under the new model, DNH will manage bookings, staffing and venue hire, while council contributes to utility costs for maternal and child health and early years programs.
DNH vice president John Rutherford spoke to the importance of handing over management to community centres like DNH.
“Today, more than ever, there’s a need for organisations like Dallas Neighbourhood House to provide for the ever increasing necessities required by our community,” he said.
The new transition is expected to be completed by June 30.
