Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct

Rapid population growth 

Between 2016 and 2021 Baw Baw Shire welcomed over 8,000 new residents and our population continues to grow rapidly. Forecast id. modeling predicts the population for Baw Baw Shire will grow by 49.78% to 84,766 by 2041.  In 2024 Population estimates by the Australian Bureau of Statistics placed Warragul and Drouin as the fastest growing Significant Urban Area in Australia over the decade to June 2023.

With our booming population there is a lack of municipal spaces that provide our community a place to learn, connect and engage in cultural activities. 

High demand for library programs 

During 2021-2022 Myli increased its active library memberships by 12% to 26,155 active members across West Gippsland. 

Results from the Public Libraries Victoria Census reported that participation in Myli library programs for entertainment and social connection was 9% above the statewide average.  

The current Warragul Library is housed in a small aging building, limiting the services and programs it can offer. The building design is not well suited to meet accessibility needs for people with disabilities and is non-compliant with current Australian accessibility standards. 

This project will provide a dynamic new fit-for-purpose library with spaces for our growing, multicultural community to access a greater physical and digital collection and participate in a more diverse array of programs and literacy activities. 

Lack of spaces to foster creative industries 

Baw Baw Shire lacks accessible spaces to foster visual arts participation in the community. 

The project aligns with objectives and actions outlined in the Victorian Government’s Creative State Strategy 2025: “ to secure creative jobs; improve equitable access to creative experiences and careers; and enhance the benefits of creative endeavour and engagement.” 

Breaking down barriers to participation

The precinct offers opportunities to design and provide a modern civic space and services that improves equality by considering the mobility, sensory, cognitive and cultural needs of all users now and into the future. 

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Perfectly positioned on the northern fringe of Warragul’s town centre, the new Library and Learning Centre will integrate seamlessly with the existing West Gippsland Arts Centre - Baw Baw’s key arts, entertainment and culture venue - which recently underwent a successful $14 million redevelopment and includes a 760-seat theatre, meeting rooms and function spaces.

The two buildings will be connected by an accessible pedestrian plaza that feeds into Warragul’s town centre to the south and Civic Park to the north - a 12-acre established parkland with existing walking tracks and an accessible all-ages playground.

The precinct’s integrated design will encourage movement, interaction and activation across the broader civic heart of Warragul.

Importantly, the land for the facility is already owned by Council and is shovel-ready for development, enabling the project to move forward as a key investment in the region’s future social and community infrastructure.

In 2022, architecture firm Croxon Ramsay was appointed to develop detailed designs for the facility based on their extensive experience in designing community hubs and libraries across Victoria.

The contract includes schematic design, detailed construction documentation and development of internal and external 3D modelling. Designs aim to maximise the use of the building space with accessible and innovative features while attaining a Green Star energy efficiency rating.

In 2026, several adjustments to the original designs were made to ensure the project remains financially responsible and aligned with community needs. Changes included the removal of the original basement and the building’s timber structure which reduced the scope from $35 million to $30 million, in line with secured funding.

Architecturally, the design balances both function and form while placing a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability.

Rather than separating functions into isolated buildings, the design consolidates educational, cultural, social and collaborative spaces into one integrated facility. This allows various users such as children, students, workers, families, artists and elderly residents to occupy the building simultaneously while engaging in diverse activities.

The inclusion of a Changing Places facility in reflects best-practice inclusive civic design, ensuring that people with disabilities can fully participate in community life.

Overall, the facility will provide access to much-needed community facilities designed for all ages and abilities into the future.

Valued at $30 million, the Library and Learning Centre is being delivered through a collaborative investment between all three levels of government.

Baw Baw Shire Council will contribute $10 million – the largest single-project investment in Council’s history –  with the remaining funding provided through Victorian and Commonwealth Government grants reflecting the project’s significance as a major piece of regional civic and community infrastructure.

  Council has committed $10 million in funding.

  Council  has received $4.5 million from the State Government.

Council is grateful for the initial contribution from the Victorian Government of $3.5 million through its Growing Suburbs Fund and $1 million through its Living Libraries Fund towards this project.

  The Federal Government has announced $14.5 million for the project.

Council is grateful for the commitment of $14.5 million for Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct under Round 1 of the Australian Government Growing Regions Program. 

Timeline

October 2021    

Council endorses the project as a main advocacy priority and pledges $10 million towards the project.

November 2021 

Geotechnical investigations and site surveying.

January 2022  

$3.5 million funding grant secured from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund.

March 2022 

Architect firm Croxon Ramsay appointed to develop detailed designs.

Continued advocacy to both State and Federal Governments for the necessary remaining funding.

December 2022   

Detailed designs complete in preparation for construction tender development.

March 2023 

Detailed consultation for development of Culture and Connection Precinct Operational and Governance

Model commences. 

May 2024  

The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government announced $14.5 million funding for the Culture and Connection Precinct project under Round 1 of the Growing Regions Program.

November-December 2024

Expressions of interest released for construction contract. 

2025

• Shortlisting of suitable contractors
• Completion of detailed designs
• SP Ausnet works:
• Undergrounding of powerlines along Civic Place and small section of Albert Street.

2026

• The tender for early works is awarded with on-site works expected to commence in the middle of the year.
• The procurement process for the construction remains ongoing with shortlisted contractors.

2027

Construction is expected to commence.

Read the latest news on this project:

• Myli and Baw Baw Arts Alliance support Culture and Connection Precinct
•  PRG appointed for Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct
•  Federal candidates pledge support for major Council project
•  Architects appointed to design Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct
•  Council welcomes $3.5 million in Vic Gov support for landmark precinct
•  Community members needed to join working group for landmark precinct
•  Council to pursue funding support for landmark community precinct
•  Council endorses key advocacy priorities for 2021/22
•  Council celebrates its largest ever grant for a capital works project
• Next steps underway for Culture and Connection Precinct
• Proposed changes to Library and Learning Centre

• Early works soon to begin on landmark $30 million Library and Learning Centre

The development of an integrated Civic Precinct for Baw Baw has long and interesting history. Read below to learn how the project has evolved over the years in response to our Shire's changing needs and priorities.

Over the past 15 years, Council has undertaken a variety master planning work for the Civic Precinct that houses the West Gippsland Art Centre. The different drivers for this work have included:

• Setting a plan for enhancing the West Gippsland Art Centre,
• Addressing the separation between the old Council offices located in Warragul, Drouin and Trafalgar, and
• Wanting to explore opportunities to provide a function centre, community rooms, Council chambers, the library, exhibition space, rehearsal and workshop studios and a plaza/forecourt area.

For a detailed timeline, please see ‘The Journey So Far’ below.

Some of this master planning work resulted in millions of dollars of grant funding to upgrade the site, including the $14M West Gippsland Art Centre upgrade which was majority funded by the state and federal governments.

At present, the Civic Precinct provides:

• A regional scale performing arts centre that houses a 750 seat theatre and art exhibition space,
• A gallery restaurant and café,
• One of Council’s primary customer service centres,
• The “Fountain Room” 120 person capacity function space with commercial kitchen and bar,
• A location for Council meetings (held in the Fountain Room fortnightly)
• A bookable multipurpose meeting room,
• Some Council office accommodation,
• Facilities for the Community College Gippsland, Calvary Baptist Church, Warragul Municipal Band, Youth Band training and Off Leash Theatre
• An expansive public forecourt area,
• A location for the Warragul Farmers Market and Arts Market,
• Public toilet facilities and associated amenities,
• Connectivity to the open space of Civic Park,
• Significant on-street and off-street carparking.

Below is an image of the West Gippsland Civic Precinct Masterplan - Current Conditions

In 2019, Council decided to build upon previous master planning work and confirm a direction for the future of the precinct. This direction will help to make sure the proposed future investment into the site of $6 million (subject to some external funding support) over the next 8 years will deliver what Baw Baw’s community want from the Civic Precinct.

The open community consultation process in July-August 2020 directly informed the development of the master plan for the site, clarifying the community’s vision, as well as providing understanding of key potential issues and opportunities.

Other Council strategies and planning work relevant to the site included the 2019 Community Hubs Strategy, the 2017 Warragul Civic Park Masterplan and the Warragul Town Centre Urban Design Framework. These have been considered by Hansen Partnership in developing the master plan.

The journey so far 

2005

• New building project initiated to prepare expressions of interest for the development of a Master Plan for a Civic Precinct in Civic Place. (This included the requirement for co-location of council officers from Warragul, Drouin and Trafalgar).

2006/07

• Council Plan 2006-2010 identified the Civic Centre and West Gippsland arts Centre Redevelopment to develop Councils Vibrant Communities Objective.
• The development of the Civic Precinct Plan as a Key Strategic Action.
• Tender period for the development of the Civic Precinct Master Plan closed.
• Mid 2006 actions deferred to explore alternate locations.

 2008/09

• Regional Development Victoria Grant confirmed to enhance West Gippsland Arts Centre.
• (New council) Briefing in respect to advancing the project, options included a new structure or renovation of existing. Report identifies consideration for office accommodation. Deferred.

2010/11

• Civic Precinct formed part of the Warragul Town Centre Urban design framework and Station Precinct Masterplan.
• The Masterplan identified a strategy to create a series of green space links from the southern recreational reserves to the Civic Park to the North. With the provision of seeking to provide pedestrians with an attractive, safe passage and access to key facilities within the Town Centre.
• The document also provided community consultation feedback on for the Civic Centre and Precinct uses at that time.

2011/12

• Baw Baw Shire Officers undertook a master planning exercise to determine the future scope of the West Gippsland Arts Centre and in consideration of the Civic Park/Precinct Master planning interface.

 2012/13

• During 2012-13, the Council developed and adopted the Council Plan 2013 – 2017. This plan identified objectives relating to delivering:
  • quality community services,
  • quality of life,
  • financial responsibility reducing the asset renewal gap,
  • planning for future community needs,
  • and sustainable use and management of natural resources and the environment.
• The Plan also identified several Key Strategic Activities associated with the precinct and Council commitment for significant funding to the West Gippsland Arts centre to develop a dynamic, vibrant and inclusive communities and delivering affordable and quality services facilities and infrastructure.

 2013/14

• The Public Open Space Strategy 2014 identified the preparation of park masterplans for the Shire as a key measure for implementation of the open space strategies. The Strategy contained an action plan to guide the implementation of Warragul Civic Park and form part of the implementation of the open space strategy.

2014/15

• Council were underway with the development of a master planning project for the staged redevelopment of West Gippsland Civic Precinct site. Developed by William Ross Architects this work also included the initial schematic design for redevelopment of West Gippsland Arts Centre (WGAC) and possible phasing of precinct facilities.
• Council accepted the reports provided for the redevelopment of the West Gippsland Arts Centre as Phase 1 and the Civic Precinct to be developed as Phase 2.
• Phase 1 funding strategies utilized:

• Regional Jobs and infrastructure fund (used for 1st stage of WGAC)
• National Stronger Regions Fund (used for 1st stage of WGAC)

2015/16

• Council were briefed on progress of the draft Master Plan development for the Precinct. This work also included the initial schematic designs for the redevelopment of the West Gippsland Arts Centre, inclusive of the following:
  • Refurbishment/redevelopment of the Fountain Room, Civic Foyer and WGAC backstage. (Note: this was originally detailed in the draft masterplan to be included as part of stage 1 works of WGAC redevelopment).
  • Redevelopment of Smith Street Annexe to include Exhibition Space, Rehearsal and Workshop Studios (Stage 2).
  • Extension of the facility to include a Function Centre and repurpose/refurbish Fountain Room into Council Chambers, Council Lounge and community Rooms (Stage 3).
  • Extension of the facility to include Library, Exhibition Space, Rehearsal Space, Studio Theatre and the forecourt area (Stage 4).

2016/17

• Council adopted the Warragul Civic Park Master Plan to set the strategic direction for the development of the Civic Park.
• Additionally; the development of the Community Hubs Strategy which included the community’s aspirations for a community hub in the Warragul township. This provided the opportunity for council to explore community hub type services that could interface or be delivered from possible facilities proposed as part of the Civic Precinct redevelopment.

2018/19

• Funding: Capital Works Program - Councils Future Forward Design Program funding equated to $80,000.
• Initial briefing to councillors on the proposal to develop the masterplans next phase. Issues associated with the range of different spaces and potential services associated with the site were discussed.
• The approved outcome was to actively re-engage with the broader community to develop and capture the visions of the community within the masterplan.
• Workshop to revisit what work had been developed previously relating to Warragul Civic Place Master Plan understanding community changes since the previous master planning workshops and review appropriate relevance.
• Consultants brief developed with key components to progress the next phase of the master plan.

2019/20-2020/21

• Hansen Partnership Pty Ltd Urban Planning Consultant appointed to further develop the community’s needs.
• Scope proposal to re-commence master planning processes including reactivation of community engagement adopted by Council.

In the development of the Civic Precinct Masterplan, Council worked with Hansen Partnership Pty Ltd, who consulted with over 25 local groups and organisations for their input and feedback. The Baw Baw Civic Precinct Masterplan was then adopted by Council in April 2021.

Click here to download a copy of the Baw Baw Civic Masterplan.(PDF, 28MB)

Baw Baw Shire Council has partnered with 20 different groups and organisations as “think tank” partners, including Myli, Federation University, and GippsTafe.

Please see the timeline section of this page for more recent updates.