TARRINGTON is on its way to getting a new community hub after receiving a funding boost for planning and consultation through the Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) Greater Grants Program. 

Tarrington Community Park Committee committed $15,000 to the planning concept and detailed design of the new facility, which was matched, dollar for dollar, by the SGSC.

Tarrington Community Facility coordinator, Adam Bester, said there was presently no central hub in Tarrington for locals to meet and a new facility would create a sense of belonging and pride in the community. 

He said a community facility was regarded as the highest priority under the Tarrington Structure Plan and Tarrington Community Plan.

As such, a Tarrington Community Facility committee had been established to facilitate the planning and consultation process, comprising representatives from the Tarrington Progress Association, Tarrington Community Park Committee and Tarrington Cricket Club.

Mr Bester said that Cooper Scaife Architects had been engaged to undertake the planning.

“We were really impressed by the work that Cooper Scaife have been doing locally including the design for the Aquaculture Centre at Tae Rak (Lake Condah)” he said.

“Our aim is to have the consultation and design work all done by early next year which will then enable us to start fundraising and applying for grants to start the build.”

Tarrington Cricket Club president, Rohan Tonissen, said the Tarrington Cricket Club had seen significant growth over past seasons, especially within junior teams and female participation. 

“However, a recent visit by Cricket Victoria identified that the current building was significantly inadequate, with no change room facilities,” he said.

“The new facility will not only cater for cricket but will be accessible to the wider community. 

“We have already had interest from the Tarrington Senior Citizens and no doubt other groups will be interested in using this facility.”

Tarrington Progress Association secretary, Sally Cunningham said, “the facility will be designed and built with input from the community to ensure that it caters for all uses and is suitable for a range of events and functions throughout the year”.

Tarrington Community Park Committee president, Bec Hoy said, “we really want to get as much input from the community into the design of this new facility”. 

“Leading up to Christmas we will be undertaking a variety of community consultation processes including on-line surveys, face-to-face meetings with key user groups and also a community meeting,” she said.

A community meeting will be held at the Tarrington Community Park (Recreation Reserve) on December 1 at 7pm. 

“We will be putting on a BBQ and everyone is welcome”, Ms Hoy said.

A ‘Tarrington Community Facility’ Facebook page has been set up for the community to find more information and to provide input on the project.