In short:
VCAT has confirmed the demolition of Kelly Park Hall, which was damaged in a 2022 fire, ending public calls for restoration. Wyndham Council plans to honour the site’s history with a heritage strategy and new public space.
Kelly Park Hall To Go
VCAT has upheld Wyndham City Council’s decision to demolish the fire-damaged Kelly Park Community Hall in Werribee, marking the end of a community campaign to save the historic building.
The hall was severely damaged in a suspicious fire in May 2022. A 25-year-old Werribee man was arrested shortly after the blaze and charged with criminal damage by fire. The incident left the much-loved community facility unusable and sparked a lengthy public debate about its future.
Despite strong opposition from residents and community groups who pushed for restoration, Wyndham Council voted in December 2024 to proceed with demolition, a decision now backed by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
“The hall has held a special place in Wyndham’s history and in the lives of many local residents,” a Council spokesperson said. “To ensure that its legacy is not lost, Council is delivering a Heritage Interpretation Strategy that will honour its story, salvage materials where possible, and preserve its contribution to Kelly Park’s identity.”
The VCAT decision also opens the door for a new public open space on the site. Council says it will consult the community to ensure the new space reflects local needs and aspirations.
“This outcome represents another important step in revitalising Wyndham’s central heart — balancing the protection of heritage with the creation of safe, accessible, and vibrant spaces for the future,” the spokesperson said.
The demolition decision has divided the community, with some welcoming the chance for new facilities, while others mourn the loss of a cultural landmark that had stood for decades.
FOLLOW US
