Council Ignores Community Opposition, Pushes Ahead with Demolition
Wyndham City Council has refused to reconsider its decision to demolish Kelly Park Hall in Werribee, despite a petition signed by 2,228 people—2,123 of whom are valid signatories—calling for the hall to be renovated and reopened for community use.
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On 4 February 2025, the petition was formally received by council, however, council officials stated that the decision to proceed with demolition had already been made, and petitioners had been informed of their appeal options.
The petition, submitted in both hard copy and electronic format, highlights strong opposition from the community to the council’s 17 December 2024 decision to demolish the hall. It argues that removing the structure would significantly disadvantage local residents and community groups who have used the facility for decades.
A protest meeting held on 22 December 2024 saw several hundred residents gather to voice their concerns. Many attendees expressed frustration over the lack of public consultation and called for a more democratic approach, such as a plebiscite or an online survey to determine the hall’s future.
A Hall with Deep Community and Historical Significance
Built in 1976, Kelly Park Hall was constructed through the efforts of local residents, who not only planned and funded the project but also helped build it. For generations, it served as a hub for community activities, providing space for local groups and events.
Until its closure following a fire, the hall remained an active facility used by various organisations. Many former users have indicated they would return if it were restored. Community members argue that the fire damage is minimal and that restoration costs should not be inflated to justify demolition.
Images of the internal damage caused by the fire.
Opponents of the demolition have raised multiple objections, including:
• Loss of a vital community resource – The hall is the only community centre in Werribee and has been a key space for gatherings, activities, and local events.
• Historical and cultural significance – As a community-built structure, its demolition would erase an important part of Werribee’s heritage.
• Impact on local groups – Numerous organisations relied on the hall as their primary meeting space, and its removal would disrupt their activities.
• Lack of adequate alternatives – No equivalent venue exists in the central Werribee area to replace Kelly Park Hall.
• Emotional and symbolic value – The hall represents decades of community effort and connection, with many residents holding strong sentimental ties to the building.
Local resident Mary expressed disappointment, stating, “A lovely community like Werribee, and we don’t have a community hall. We have lost members of our club, and most likely more will leave. We are older, and not all of us have cars. Shame on the council.” Another resident, Debbie, added, “Unfortunately, this council will never change. They haven’t listened to residents for 40 years that I know of.”
Despite widespread opposition, the council remains firm in its decision to proceed with demolition, advising objectors that their only recourse is to appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
For many in the community, this decision represents a failure of the council to engage with its residents on an issue that directly impacts them. The loss of Kelly Park Hall is seen not just as the removal of a building but as the erasure of an irreplaceable piece of Werribee’s history.
