What is a knowledge centre?

A Knowledge Centre is a central community hub that brings together library services, learning support, digital access, and community programs in one place.

At the WSC site, it could include an expanded library, computer and internet access, learning resources, and spaces for events like talks, workshops, screenings, and classes. It could also support schools, university study, and programs such as digital literacy and language classes, along with flexible community meeting spaces.

What is an Arts and Cultural Centre?

An Arts & Cultural Centre is a dedicated space for art, culture, and creative activities that brings together exhibitions, performances, and creative programs in one place.

At the WSC site, it could include a regional gallery, exhibition spaces, studios for artists, and spaces for performances and events. It may also support things like workshops, creative businesses, community arts programs, and cultural festivals, helping showcase local talent and the region’s identity.

What is a Discovery Centre?

A Discovery Centre is a place where people can learn, explore ideas, and build skills related to local industries, the environment, and future jobs.

It could include flexible spaces for workshops, exhibitions, talks, and hands-on learning. There might also be partnerships with schools, TAFEs, universities, and industry to run programs.

In Wonthaggi, it could focus on things like renewable energy, farming, technology, conservation, and other industries important to the region, while also attracting visitors through exhibitions and events.

What is a performance Amphitheatre?

A performance amphitheater is an outdoor space designed for live events, with a stage and seating for audiences.

It can be used for things like music, theatre, dance, school performances, and community events. At the WSC site, it could support regular events, festivals, and local performers, helping to activate the area and bring more people into the town centre.

What is an Educentre?

An Educentre is a local education hub that brings together study spaces, training, and support services to help people learn and build skills close to home.

It could include facilities like quiet study areas, computers and high-speed internet, and support for students completing university courses online. It may also offer TAFE courses and other training programs linked to local job opportunities.

In Wonthaggi, an Educentre would expand on existing services like the Country Universities Centre, providing more space, more courses, and better access to education - helping people study locally and supporting a skilled local workforce.

What is a Training Restaurant?

A training café or restaurant is a not-for-profit or social enterprise hospitality venue where people gain real-world work experience while serving the public.

At the WSC site, it could operate like a normal café or small restaurant, but its main purpose would be training. It would provide hands-on experience for hospitality students and people with disabilities, helping them build skills in a real working environment.

What are co-working spaces and what is an enterprise incubator?

Co-working spaces are shared work environments where individuals and small businesses can work without needing a traditional office.

They typically offer flexible access (daily, weekly, or monthly), shared desks or private spaces, and facilities like Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, and tech support. They also create opportunities to connect and collaborate with others.

An enterprise incubator builds on this by supporting new and growing businesses, helping them develop ideas, access networks, and grow in a supportive environment.

What are ancillary health services?

Ancillary Health Services include a range of medical and support services that help people stay healthy and recover from illness or injury.

This can include things like GP clinics, physiotherapy, diagnostic services, rehabilitation, and specialist care. It can also include services for families, such as maternal and child health.

At the WSC site, this could look like a central location where different health services are offered together, making it easier for the community to access care close to home.

What are Flexible Community Spaces?

Flexible community spaces are shared spaces that local groups and organisations can use for meetings, programs, and day-to-day activities.

They can be used for things like training, workshops, volunteer meetings, and community programs, and are designed to be adaptable for different needs.

These spaces could support a wide range of groups including youth, arts, health, and community organisations and may be integrated with other facilities like co-working spaces or a Knowledge Centre to create a central community hub.

What are Green Spaces?

Green space and public realm refers to open, shared outdoor areas that people can use for relaxing, socialising, and community activities.

This could include landscaped parks, gardens, and open areas for events like markets, performances, and gatherings. At the WSC site, it could also create better connections to nearby spaces like Wishart Reserve, making the area more inviting, usable, and connected to the town centre.

What are Internal Laneways?

Internal laneways are small pedestrian-friendly pathways that run through a site, connecting different areas and nearby streets.

They can be designed as active, attractive spaces with things like seating, greenery, public art, and places to eat or gather. In Wonthaggi, they could also reflect the town’s character and provide spaces for small events, exhibitions, and everyday community use.

What are potential childcare and early learning uses?

Childcare and early learning provides care and education for young children before they start school. This includes services like long day care, kindergarten, and early learning programs that support children’s development and learning.

At the WSC site, this could look like a modern facility offering a mix of childcare, kindergarten, and early learning programs, with flexible hours, spaces for play and learning, and potentially services for families, workers, and the broader community.

What is a GovHub?

A GovHub is a central place where different government services and agencies are located together in one accessible site.

Instead of people needing to travel to multiple offices in different towns, a GovHub brings services closer to the community in one location.

In Wonthaggi, a GovHub could include State and regional government agencies, along with services like licensing, support programs, and community services. It could also improve access to important services such as NDIS support, making it easier for residents and carers to get help locally.

What are Retail and Hospitality oppotunities?

Retail and hospitality uses refer to small business spaces on the site, such as cafés or food services.

At the WSC site, this could include a small café-style tenancy that supports the wider community facilities. The focus would be on social and community benefit for example, a training café or a café linked to community events or functions.

These uses would be carefully considered so they complement, rather than compete with, existing businesses in Wonthaggi and support the overall community purpose of the site.

What are other commercial/shop uses?

Retail opportunities refer to shops or lifestyle businesses that could operate on the site, such as a small retail precinct or specialty services.

This type of use would need careful consideration to ensure it does not negatively impact existing businesses in the town centre. It would also need to align with community needs and Council planning priorities, as current feedback shows limited demand for additional retail space on the site.

What is meant by Business Offices?

Commercial or business offices are workspaces used by organisations, businesses, or government services to operate and provide services.

At the WSC site, this could include office spaces that are leased to generate rental income. However, current planning suggests there is limited demand for large-scale new office space in Wonthaggi.

What is permanent/private housing?

Residential development refers to building permanent housing on the site, such as private homes or apartments.

At the WSC site, this would involve rezoning part of the land so it can be sold and developed for housing. This option would mainly deliver financial return from land sales, but would also change the overall purpose of the site.

It could reduce space available for community-focused uses, and there is already planned housing development in other parts of Wonthaggi (such as Wonthaggi North-East). Community feedback has also shown limited interest in housing being located on this site.

What is social, affordable and key worker housing?

Social, affordable and key worker housing is housing provided at lower cost to help people who are struggling to find or afford a home, including essential workers needed in the local area.

What is meant by Council Relocation?

Council relocation refers to moving the Bass Coast Shire Council offices and chambers to a new, purpose-built location.

At the WSC site, this would mean Council services being delivered from a modern, more accessible building that is designed to be open and welcoming to the community.

It could also allow Council to be co-located with other services (like community facilities or government offices), making it easier for people to access multiple services in one place, while freeing up the existing Council site for other community uses.

What is a Parking and Mobility Hub?

A parking and mobility hub is a central area designed to manage car parking and support different ways of getting to and around the site.

At the WSC site, this would provide additional parking for visitors, workers, and users of the precinct.

It could also support better movement around the area by improving access and connecting different transport and activity areas.

The land use options are based on pre-feasibility investigations that assessed potential future uses against clear criteria.

These criteria ensured that all options considered:

• Respond to current and future community needs
• Can justify investment from all levels of government
• Deliver strong social value and community benefit
• Are inclusive and accessible to people of all ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds and genders
• Support local jobs and economic growth
• Enhance liveability and contribute to activating Wonthaggi’s town centre
• Promote environmentally sustainable outcomes
• Integrate with existing and planned development in the Wonthaggi Activity Centre
• Incorporate Universal Access and Design principles
• Respect the site’s community significance
• Align with Bass Coast Shire Council’s strategic planning priorities

No. The Site is currently managed by the Victorian Department of Education.

The future of this site is important to the community. Through previous engagement, Council has consistently heard that the site has been left unused since the school closed and that there is a strong desire to see something positive happen there.

By doing the work now, Council can understand what the community values most and be well‑placed to work with the Victorian Government and other partners on future opportunities. With the right partnerships, the site has the potential to be transformed into a place that delivers community services, programs and infrastructure.

No decisions have been made about the existing buildings. Council have completed building and structural inspections of the buildings on the site to gain an understanding of what challenges may be faced should the site be acquired.

Council has been undertaking a range of pre-feasibility and due-diligence work to understand the opportunities and constraints associated with the site. This is essential to ensure future decisions are responsible, well‑informed and do not create long‑term costs for ratepayers.

Officers looked at Wonthaggi’s current and future needs, identified gaps, and explored uses that could help the site thrive. This included community uses and options that could help fund the site over time.

Since the school relocated in 2019, Council has completed:

• Pre-feasibility report
• Heritage assessment
• Building and structural investigations
• Options assessment
• Community infrastructure assessment
• Housing investigation

Council officers completed a cultural and heritage investigation which confirmed that although the buildings hold potential local community significance, there is no heritage significance or heritage overlay on the buildings.

A mix of housing options helps support local housing needs while also contributing to the financial sustainability of the site. These uses can bring more people into the area, support local businesses and help fund community facilities.

The CRG helped identify land uses, workshop ways to fund the site, offered input on engagement methods and ways to ensure a broad range of the community is reached. The CRG formed a valuable part of planning for the project.

You can share the Engage Bass Coast page for this project. Sharing far and wide and collecting feedback from as many community members as possible ensures the project will be strongly guided by community support.