THE transformation of the old Romsey Primary School site into a community health centre and all-abilities park has begun.
Council, Cobaw Community Health and the Greater Romsey All- Abilities Park committee (GRAAP Inc.) are working on the project, which will see the former school turned into a Cobaw Community Health centre and deliver stage one of the community-initiated Romsey All-Abilities Park that has been given the working title of Ecotherapy Park.
Construction and landscaping crews are on site setting out work areas, establishing tree protection zones, upgrading underground services, demolishing redundant external and internal fixtures and constructing the frame and subfloor for a building extension.
Works will take place throughout the coming months and are expected to be complete by late April.
A grant from the federal government’s National Stronger Regions Fund has assisted in enabling the site to be redeveloped together with a grant to Cobaw Community Health from the state government’s Department of Health and Human Services.
Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson said Council was excited to see the project underway:
“This is a much anticipated and exciting time in the Romsey region as we see this site transform into a space where the community’s health and wellbeing are central and where people can meet, engage in healthy activities, develop stronger connections and celebrate together,” Cr Anderson said.
GRAAP President Raelene Mottram added that her group can’t wait to share the committee’s vision for the space with Romsey residents and visitors and give everyone a taste of the park’s many exciting features.
“Stage One of the park includes an extra-long flying fox, a raised cubby hidden under the beautiful oak tree, pathways, a basket swing, and log climbing features. All of these features are just the beginning of the realisation of the community’s full vision for the park,” Ms Mottram said.
Once completed works on the old school building will provide the full suite of Cobaw’s health and wellbeing services in early childhood, youth, families, adults, and aged and disability through the repurposing, fit out and extension of the historic old school building.
Cobaw CEO Margaret McDonald said that delivering local place-based services to the east of the shire has been a long held vision of the Cobaw Board and staff.
“We are excited to see the build well underway and are progressing our planning internally to ensure responsive, integrated health and wellbeing services for Romsey and surrounding communities,” Ms McDonald said.
The former Romsey School site works have been funded by the Commonwealth Government, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, $997,478; the Victorian Government, Department of Health and Human Services, $733,000; Macedon Ranges Shire Council, $215,000 and • Cobaw Community Health Services Ltd, $50,000.
