Councillor Marcus Leads Charge as Six Key Councillors Unite to Block Demolition and Preserve Werribee's Iconic Community Hub
In a dramatic turn of events at last night’s Wyndham City Council Planning Meeting, a last-minute motion presented by Councillor Heather Marcus effectively saved the Kelly Park Community Centre from demolition, reversing a decision that had sparked widespread concern and dismay among Werribee residents.
The Kelly Park Community Centre, a beloved hub for local activities, had been earmarked for demolition following a devastating fire in June 2022 that severely damaged the building. The council’s initial decision, announced in April 2024, cited the prohibitive costs of restoration and safety concerns, including potential asbestos hazards, as key reasons for its planned removal. The centre’s loss was felt deeply by the community, who had long depended on the space for various gatherings, classes, and social services.
The proposal to demolish the centre was formally put before the Council’s Planning Committee in March 2024. An assessment by Heritage Extent Pty Ltd, an external consultant, concluded that the buildings did not contribute to the cultural heritage of Kelly Park, which is situated within a Heritage Overlay. The Heritage Impact Statement suggested that removing the structure could positively impact the park’s landscape. The council’s internal heritage department supported these findings, and the planning application appeared to be headed for approval, with no public objections recorded during the consultation period.
New Station Struggles
Hilakari Facing A Lacklustre Challenge
Teens Charged Over Alleged Motorcycle Thefts
However, during last night’s meeting, Councillor Heather Marcus introduced a surprising alternate motion. Her proposal, which was passed by the council, rejected the planning permit for demolition on the grounds that the proposal conflicted with key aspects of the Wyndham Planning Scheme. Marcus argued that the demolition would fail to uphold the council’s commitment to providing inclusive spaces that support community wellbeing and cater to people of all abilities, ages, and cultural backgrounds.
The motion received strong support from several councillors. Councillors Robert Szatkowski, Jasmine Hill, Sahana Ramesh, Peter Maynard, Marcel Mahfoud, and Susan McIntyre all voted in favor of the alternative motion presented by Cr. Marcus, ensuring that the Kelly Park Community Centre would be spared from demolition.
The motion also called for a comprehensive report to be brought to the council by February 2025, outlining a full business case for redeveloping Kelly Park Hall. The report is expected to include detailed costing analyses, conceptual designs, and potential funding sources, with a particular emphasis on preserving the hall’s heritage features. This move has given the community renewed hope that the centre, which many saw as a vital part of Werribee’s social fabric, could be restored and reopened.
The decision has been met with relief and optimism by local residents who had rallied against the demolition. Many had expressed frustration over the lack of communication and transparency from the council regarding the centre’s future, particularly after the fire in 2022. The promise of a detailed report and the inclusion of the project in the 2025/26 Council Budget signal a significant commitment to preserving the community hub.
While the path forward will require substantial financial investment and careful planning, the council’s decision to preserve Kelly Park Centre has been celebrated as a victory for community advocacy and heritage preservation. The coming months will reveal the extent of the council’s commitment as plans for the centre’s redevelopment are detailed and debated.
For now, Kelly Park Community Centre stands as a symbol of the community’s resilience and the council’s willingness to listen to and act upon the concerns of its constituents.
