Mount Alexander Shire Council, Victoria, has proposed repurposing the former Castlemaine Secondary College campus as a new training, education and business incubator hub.
Council endorsed plans in late 2018 to lease the space from the Minister for Education under a peppercorn arrangement for 15 years.
It would then sublease the space to Workspace Australia and Castlemaine Hot Rod Centre Ltd.
Council’s Chief Executive Officer, David Fuzzard, said, “We believe a partnership with Workspace Australia and our hot rod community has the potential to turn the vacant former college into a thriving community hub.
“The agreement is for a training and education centre for the local hot rod industry and office space for Workspace and associated small businesses and community groups.”
Some of the campus will continue to be used by students and teachers at the secondary college and floor space will be set aside for community use.
“We can see the benefits of this partnership and now we’re seeking to hear from the community about whether they agree with the proposal.”
Workspace Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that provides support to local job-seekers and 60 small businesses in Castlemaine and Maldon. Castlemaine Hot Rod Centre Ltd and its partners plan to establish a lifelong community education and industry innovation campus based around the local automotive culture. Occupation of the Castlemaine Secondary College campus will allow Castlemaine Hot Rod Centre Ltd to continue and expand collaborative projects.
