COMMUNITY voices have helped shape the final design for stage one of the Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub, with Mitchell Shire Council confirming a series of improvements following two rounds of consultation.
The $17 million project, funded through $15 million from the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program and $2 million from Mitchell Shire Council, will deliver a modern, two-storey facility in central Seymour, bringing health, learning and community services together under one roof.
The new hub is a cornerstone of the long-running Seymour Revitalisation Project, a partnership between Council, the Victorian Government and the local community aimed at improving wellbeing, strengthening social connections and expanding access to essential services. A dedicated health and wellbeing centre was identified in 2018 as a priority to help break cycles of disadvantage and better support residents.
Stage one will include a contemporary library with community learning areas, multipurpose meeting rooms, upgraded event spaces, a café, and a health hub featuring clinical and non-clinical consulting rooms for visiting service providers. Landscaped outdoor areas will provide accessible and inviting spaces for community use.
Initial consultation occurred in mid-2024, with revised draft plans placed on public exhibition in August and September 2025. Feedback from residents, community groups and service organisations prompted several key changes to the final design. These include expanding the meeting room and café area, adding 57 square metres to the building footprint, introducing an operable wall to allow the space to be divided, and incorporating upgraded audiovisual and acoustic features to better support movie screenings and large events.
Other additions include direct kitchen access for functions, an area for creative arts activities, and increased desk spaces and plug-in points throughout the ground floor to support study and work. The design improvements have resulted in an additional $572,893 being referred to Council’s capital works budget for allocation.
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said the project had been shaped by strong community input.
“We heard from residents, service providers and community groups who told us what was most important to them, and we’ve acted on that,” he said.
“While the additions increase the project cost, they’re practical improvements that will make the hub more welcoming, functional and inclusive for the whole community.
“The hub will deliver long-lasting benefits by bringing key services together in one central place. It will make it easier for people to access support, learn new skills and stay connected. It’s a significant investment in Seymour’s future, and I want to thank everyone who shared their ideas, your feedback has helped shape a facility we can all be proud of.”
Detailed design work is expected to be completed in early 2026, with construction scheduled to begin in mid-2026 and finish by mid-2027.
Further information and project updates are now available at mitchellshire.vic.gov.au/seymour-hub.
