Future planning for Loughnan Hall

Loughnan Hall

Council is investigating other options for the future of a Richmond community facility, after abandoning a proposed sale of the property to a developer.

Council had proposed to sell Loughnan Hall - which a Council report found was under-utilised - to developer Cubo for $1.4 million.

The building on the land has been used as a community meeting place since the 1950s.

At its May 2011 meeting, Council decided to abandon that proposed sale and instead investigate the potential for a new Council-owned community facility to be built at the Coppin Street site.

Council officers will investigate the potential for the sale of ‘air rights’, which would result in development above a new community facility.

Under the proposal that is being investigated, development above the facility would not exceed three storeys.

Investigations will consider whether the air rights could be used to provide affordable housing. Officers are expected to report back to Council on their investigations at a Council meeting in February 2012.

Details of the abandoned sale proposal

Council proposed to sell the property to developer Cubo for $1.4 million after Cubo first approached Council about buying the site in July 2008.

Cubo is building a 130-unit mixed-use development next door. A condition of the sale would have restricted future development on the site to a maximum of six townhouses, with three levels above a car park.

Public consultation

Community feedback on the sale proposal was sought in February 2011.

Council received 305 signatures on petitions opposing the sale of Loughnan Hall and a further 30 written submissions, 28 of which were against the sale proposal.

Everyone who made a written submission was invited to make a verbal submission at the Tuesday 19 April Council meeting at the Richmond Town Hall.

Following the submissions hearing, Council took the decision to its May meeting where it resolved to abandon the sale to Cubo.

Further information
Karen Hayes
Infrastructure Coordinator
9205 5711
Karen.Hayes@yarracity.vic.gov.au