Dimboola Senior Citizens Centre and Gerang Memorial Hall Update

Published on 13 November 2024

Hindmarsh Shire Council has a number of buildings across the Shire that are approaching or have reached their end of their life. The most recent condition and valuation audit on Council buildings identified the Dimboola Senior Citizens Centre and the Gerang Memorial Hall obsolete due to not meeting current service standard. 

Dimboola Senior Citizens

In March 2022, Council undertook discussions with members of the community seeking the re-establishment of the Dimboola Senior Citizens. However, no support was achieved at the meeting. At the August 2023 Council meeting, Council resolved to advertise its intention to dispose of the Dimboola Senior Citizens building, calling for submissions from the community.  Six submissions were received with two submissions being heard at the October 2023 Council meeting. The predominant request from the submissions was for the community to have time to consider uses for the building.

In response to the submissions from the community consultation in August 2023, a community meeting was held on 20 February 2024. The general consensus from this meeting was to sell the building and invest the funds in Dimboola. Permanent protection was also requested for an olive tree at the rear of the block, as it holds significant historical value. At the March 2024 Council meeting, Council moved to defer the disposal of 41 Victoria Street Dimboola, and directed officers to investigate ways to put permanent protections on the tree before proceeding ahead with the sale.

Council Officers received guidance that a section 173 agreement can be applied to the property to protect the Olive tree if the property is to be sold. A section 173 agreement is a legal contract which is recorded on the title of the land, so that the owner’s obligations under the agreement bind future owners and occupiers of the land. At the August 2024 Council meeting, Council moved to sell 41 Victoria Street, Dimboola; and engage a solicitor to draft a Section 173 agreement to protect the olive tree.

Gerang Memorial Hall

At the May 2024 meeting, Council endorsed its intention to sell Gerang Memorial Hall and requested officers seek community feedback on the proposal. The feedback was sought via Council’s “Have Your Say” page for a period of 28 days. A community drop-in session was held at the Gerang Memorial Hall on 21 May 2024 to seek direct feedback from the community. The majority of the attendees were in support of the proposal due to lack of use and the ongoing maintenance liability.  Participants also provided suggestions on disposal/distribution of contents within the hall.

At the July 2024 Council meeting, Council approved the disposal of the Gerang Memorial Hall, with the disposal of internal memorabilia as per the community requests.

Miscellaneous items within the halls

Prior to the sale of both buildings, Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from not-for-profit community groups, sporting clubs, and organisations for a number of miscellaneous items from within the Dimboola Senior Citizens building and Gerang Memorial Hall. To view the items available, and to find out how to submit an expression of interest, please go to www.haveyoursay.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au. All memorabilia will be stored as per recommendations from the community.

Inspection of items within the Gerang Memorial Hall will be available on Friday 29 November 2024 between 9am-12pm. While inspections of items within the Dimboola Senior Citizens Centre will be available on Friday 29 November 2024 between 1pm-4pm. Expression of Interest submissions for both close 5:00pm on Sunday 8 December 2024.

For more information, please contact Laura Sonnberger, Contracts & Procurement Officer on (03) 5391 4444 or email info@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.

Monica Revell
Chief Executive Officer