$16M Horseshoe Bend Community Hub to transform Charlemont

Plans for a community hub designed to meet the needs of Charlemont’s rapidly growing population include a kinder, medical centre and more.

Proposed site of the $16m community hub in Charlemont.

Plans for a $16m community hub proposed for Charlemont, designed to cater for the suburb’s booming population, have officially been submitted to council after years of planning.

The project, which currently has the name Horseshoe Bend Community Hub, is seeking approval to develop a community facility comprising a “place of assembly”, medical centre and kindergarten on vacant land.

The City of Greater Geelong is behind the application which is being designed by Co.Op Studio.

If approved, it’s expected that construction will likely start mid-2025 and be complete in time to enable opening by early 2027.

Executive director of placemaking at Geelong council, Tennille Bradley, said the development would provide an essential service to Charlemont.

“With Charlemont’s population set to jump by 178 per cent to nearly 18,000 by 2041, the Horseshoe Bend Community Hub will be vital to ensuring the community has access to conveniently located early years services and multipurpose community spaces,” Ms Bradley said.

“This facility was identified in early precinct planning to service Armstrong Creek.

Proposed site of the $16m community hub in Charlemont.

“Just like every corner of Greater Geelong, we want the hub to be a welcoming and vibrant place for the community for generations to come, where residents of all ages and backgrounds can socialise, learn a new skill and participate in the programs and events important to them.”

The hub will provide kindergarten, maternal child health services, multipurpose rooms and meeting rooms.

A pre-engagement phase by Geelong council informed the development of draft design principles for community consultation.

This involved discussions with users, service providers, and facility managers of existing hubs, as well as meetings with internal stakeholders and insights from similar projects.

Two phases of community engagement followed.

Phase one gathered feedback on the draft design principles and sought community input on desired spaces, activities, facilities, and design features to create a warm, welcoming, and safe environment.

Phase two presented a draft concept plan to the community, focusing on feedback about the proposed site zones.

Originally published as $16M Horseshoe Bend Community Hub to transform Charlemont