Keysborough South has experienced a significant increase in demand for community services – in particular early years’ children’s services – as a result of a surge in population and increased housing development. 

These important community services, along with a range of multi-purpose meeting rooms and spaces, will be provided at our new community hub, increasing and improving the variety of activities and programs on offer. 

Detailed planning and consultation for the community hub was first undertaken in 2015-16. Responses from more than 400 people confirmed the need for a range of community services as well as flexible meeting spaces and outdoor areas. Concept plans were prepared including facilities for early years children’s services such as kindergarten, childcare, maternal child health, immunisation services and playgroups, as well as spaces for young people, education-based services and physical activity programs.

In November 2019, Council selected Tatterson Park on the corner of Chapel and Villiers Roads as the chosen location for the community hub in late 2019. The site was selected for its visual prominence, easy access and central location and following further community consultation with more than 550 responses. 

Our library lounge will hold a curated book collection and outreach staff will deliver a range of programs including story time, baby bounce and life-long learning programs tailored to the needs of the Keysborough South community (i.e. digital literacy or conversation classes).

The library lounge will provide a variety of spaces and furniture types that allow for individual and group work / study with plenty of access to power points for people to plug in their devices. Meeting rooms will also be available for quiet study and collaborative working when not required for bookings / meetings.

The library lounge will also offer the following features: 

• Library item drop-off (during and after hours returns)
• Holds pickup point
• A curated collection of magazines 
• A curated collection of books for reading and borrowing
• Four self-serve bookable personal computers
• Self-serve printing and photocopying
• A personal computer to look-up and order Library books and resources
• A self-serve loan kiosk
• Free WiFi

Staff at the community hub will be multi-skilled so they can assist all Hub users, including those using library services (i.e. incorporating librarian and operational duties).

The community hub will include tea / coffee making facilities, community kitchen and space for self-serve vending options for Hub and park users.

The provision of a café is not commercially viable at the Hub, however a number of options have been considered to cater for potential future demand:

a. Provision of a café service within the Hub at peak times, to be serviced by Centre staff. Coffee machine and display cabinet to be considered as part of the fit-out / detailed design (DD) process, complemented by tables and chairs in the community lounge. Possible areas for service include:

• Community kitchen, or
• Reception

b. Provision of dedicated space for a mobile coffee cart at the Hub entrance. Council will consider conducting an Expression of Interest process for the potential provision of a coffee service for the community and hub users at the proposed mobile coffee cart location, and at a nominated location within the community hub (i.e. foyer).

Note: Springers Leisure Centre also provides food and beverage options for users of the Tatterson Park precinct.

The community hub will include a ‘neighbourhood’ level children’s playground, basketball half court, amphitheatre, licenced children’s play area (for kindergarten / child care), outdoor seating areas, path network, landscaping with tiered acoustic treatment (along Dandenong Bypass) and fencing along Villiers Road and Chapel Road (part).

A ‘neighbourhood’ level playground is proposed at the Hub in accordance with Council’s Playground Strategy, which typically includes a combination of standard themed play equipment, natural play and custom designed pieces.

The ultimate design of the playground (and equipment selection) will be subject to the detail design (DD) process and will be sympathetic to site and consider community feedback provided. Further community consultation will also be undertaken as part of this process.

The playground is intended to complement the regional ‘insect’ themed playground, located within Tatterson Park (approximately 500m from the hub). Access to this playground (and other facilities within the reserve) will be encouraged via an interconnected path network and new access road.

Community Room 1 and 2:

• Function style layout (large tables): up to approximately 60 people each or 140 combined.
• Theatre style layout: up to approximately 70 people each or 160 combined.

Meeting Rooms – approximate numbers based on board room layout:

• Meeting Room 1: 8 people
• Meeting Room 2: 10 people
• Meeting Room 3: 10 people
• Administration / Meeting Room: 8 people

Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 combined: Up to approximately 30 people based on theatre style seating.

The hub will be open after-hours and on weekends, in line with other similar Council / community facilities. However, the exact operating hours be based on feedback from the community during consultation activities and will consider the specific needs of the local community in addition to the impact on neighbouring properties.