Jill Williams
WORK has begun on the $900,000 upgrade and extension of the Strath Creek Community Hall and Pioneer Reserve redevelopment.
Ian Dicker, Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, joined the Mayor of Murrindindi Shire, Councillor Peter Beales, and members of the community in Strath Creek last week to mark the start of works on the project.
Mr Dicker said it was a significant milestone for the local community, with the upgrade of the hall and adjacent reserve having been identified as a priority by Strath Creek residents.
“The community hall is an important facility for the people of Strath Creek and was an important hub in the aftermath of the fires for housing community members who lost homes, and it provided a place for the community to come together,” Mr Dicker said.
Chair of the Appeal Fund, Pat McNamara, said the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund has provided funding for the upgrade of the facility so it can continue to meet community needs and better cater for local events and activities.
The upgrade of the hall and redevelopment of Pioneer Reserve will be delivered in three stages, with the first stage being the construction of a new toilet block and barbecue shelter area.
Stage two will continue with the extension and upgrade of the hall’s kitchen and meeting room facilities, and the final stage will be the upgrade and extension of the tennis courts to become multi-sport courts with a new pavilion that will have a meeting room, kitchen and verandas.
Cr Beales said the upgraded facilities would provide a flexible, safe and easily accessible facility for the community to host meetings and activities.
“The Strath Creek Hall is the only community meeting space in town. It has long served the community and is a focal point for community togetherness,” Cr Beales said.
The hall and reserve will be closed during construction, with the project expected to be complete by the end of June.
The contract for the works has been awarded to the Jade Group, a business based in nearby Reedy Creek.
The redevelopment of the Strath Creek Hall and Pioneer Reserve forms part of the Rebuilding Together Plan, a joint Victorian and Commonwealth Government initiative to drive recovery in bushfire-affected communities across the state.






