Touring the site of the future Sebastopol Community Hub

A major project that will transform the Sebastopol community is making significant progress and will soon start visibly coming to life.

The tender process for the Sebastopol Community Hub project is underway, following the building's demolition in May.

A builder is expected to be appointed in August, with work on the new Vickers Street building to begin after the contract is awarded.

The project has significant support from three tiers of government, with the City of Ballarat ($5 million), Federal Government ($4.5 million via the Investing in Our Communities program) and State Government ($4.5 million via the Building Blocks Capacity program) working in conjunction to deliver the new facility.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson joined Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Sebastopol Senior Citizens Club secretary Bev Lovett for a tour of the site on Friday.

At the tour, they stood at the now vacant site of the former building while inspecting the designs for the new community hub.

Once complete in late 2025/early 2026, the Sebastopol Community Hub will provide a fresh home for user groups of the existing building, including the Sebastopol Senior Citizens and the 1st Sebastopol Guides.

Highlights of the new facility include:

• Three 22-place kindergarten rooms
• A main hall with a 150-person capacity
• Three meeting rooms with varying capacities ranging from 12-50 people
• Maternal child health consulting rooms
• A community kitchen
• An outdoor playspace and an undercover play area
• On-site carparking

For more information on the project and to view more designs of the building, visit the project page on the City of Ballarat website.

Quote attributable to City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson

“It’s exciting to be standing on the site of the future Sebastopol Community Hub and I can’t wait for the project to start to come to life.

“This is a vital project for Sebastopol that will benefit so many different cohorts of our community.”

Quote attributable to Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King

“This is such an exciting project. The Sebastopol Community Hub is really progressing now that demolition is complete and the tender process for a builder is underway.

“It’s fantastic to see all three levels of government working together to deliver the best result for the Sebastopol Community.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison

“I am proud that the new Sebastopol Community Hub will bring together our earliest learners with our senior citizens, and all ages in between.

“It will be a truly inter-generational community space that will transform Sebastopol now and into the future.”

Quote attributable to Sebastopol Senior Citizens Club Secretary, Bev Lovett

“The Sebastopol Senior Citizens are eagerly looking forward to the new Community Hub, which will benefit everyone in the Sebastopol community.

“The Seniors will have a dedicated home, providing a place to recognise the values of our older generation and a sense of belonging.”