Victoria’s Moreland City Council is set to consider the potential sale of vacant land beside Council’s Coburg Civic Centre for the delivery of a health and community services hub.
Council acquired the land in the 1980s and 1990s with the view to create a new precinct. The site, on the corner of Bell Street and Pentridge Boulevard, has long been earmarked as a new health and community services hub for Coburg that would also create new local jobs and deliver services to the community. These services include a new hospital, mental health facility, aged care, childcare, allied health services and open space.
The site also includes the former Pentridge Warden’s Bluestone Cottage, which is currently leased by Council to the Coburg Historical Society. The cottage is, and will remain, protected by the strongest heritage protections in Victoria.
In a statement, Council said the proposed purchaser had indicated its commitment to invest in, improve and restore the cottage and retain the Coburg Historical Society in the cottage as the ongoing custodian.
“Council will not be making a decision to sell the land at the August Council meeting. Council will only decide whether or not to begin a public consultation process,” Council said.
A report will go back to Council in October 2021 presenting all feedback from the community and stakeholders.