Future planning for Loughnan Hall

Loughnan Hall

In 2011, Council abandoned a proposal to sell Loughnan Hall, a community facility in Richmond.

Council had proposed to sell the site to developer Cubo for $1.4 million. The building has been used as a community meeting place since the 1950s.

The community overwhelmingly opposed the sale. More than 300 people signed petitions opposing the sale.

At its May 2011 meeting, Council decided to abandon the proposed sale. Council decided to instead investigate the potential to sell 'air rights' for a development (possibly including affordable housing) above a new Council-owned facility on the site.

In June 2012, Council considered a report on those investigations. The report indicated it would cost between $1.6 million and $2 million to construct a new facility at the site. The value of the 'air rights' was estimated to be about $950,000 as at November 2011. More information is provided in the agenda (Page 58-63) and Attachment 10.7.1 for the 5 June 2012 Council meeting.

At that meeting, Council resolved to note the report but not to do anything further at that stage. A new community space is to be provided at the former Channel 9 site in Bendigo Street, Richmond. There is also an Expression of Interest process underway for future use of the community facility in Tudor Street, Richmond. Council may be required to contribute funding for both of these projects. Council noted the Loughnan Hall report and confirmed the "medium term priorities are the development of the proposed GTV9 community facility and finalisation of the expression of interest process for the future use of the Tudor Street site".

Further information
Craig Kenny
Director - Community Programs
9205 5100
Craig.Kenny@yarracity.vic.gov.au