MANY residents remain concerned about the social and planning impacts of the $10 million Hepburn Hub, despite Hepburn Shire confirming the toddler pool will be saved from demolition.
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The community worked hard to save the pool, which was originally planned to be replaced by a wet play area to make way for the consolidated hub.
Mayor Kate Redwood confirmed architects were working on a new concept design as a result of the strong feedback.
It remains unclear what the revised plans look like - and whether the toddler pool will stay in the same location, or be relocated.
But Cr Redwood said details would emerge after the two remaining pool consultation sessions.
"We are at the early stages but there are new proposals we're looking at with a changed location for the change rooms, and a footprint for changes for the pool," she said.
The changes come after a community backlash, including a 160-signature petition, a float in the Daylesford New Year's Eve parade and many letters to council over the matter.
But pool advocate Cate Graceson said the new plan was not sufficient - and would leave little room for families to enjoy the shared facility.
"Without the green space and the square meterage for 300 school children to sit with comfort the Hepburn Memorial Pool will be unusable for many in our community," she said.
Ms Graceson said she had been talking with many concerned residents, who also believed the proposed four-storey building was inappropriate for Daylesford.
"There will be increased traffic and a need for additional parking in this area of Daylesford which is already under stress," she said.
"The increased traffic flow due to the truck route has also been an ongoing issue for local residents (and) Bridport Street is already used for parking and access to the town’s only supermarket."
Daylesford mum Nicole Jenkin agreed while she was happy with the news about the toddler pool, she was concerned about the "sketchy details".
"I think those new plans need to be done ASAP," she said.
"I just hope the toddler pool is not being replaced near the deep end of pool because it would be unsafe."
The hub, which has been in the pipeline for more than a year, will include a new library, visitor information centre and consolidated shire office.
Cr Redwood said council had the budget to cover the design work at present - but not the overall project.
"We can't quite afford it but we're at the early stages," she said.
Hepburn Shire chief executive Aaron van Egmond added the council had not made any decisions about what the Hepburn Hub will look like or if it would be built.
"The project seeks to improve amenities for the community and in particular our youth," he said.
"(Residents') continued feedback is really important to achieving this."
Further consultation sessions will be held on Thursday, 22 January, from 1pm and 4pm in the senior citizens' room at Daylesford Town Hall and an evening session (TBC).
Concerned residents are also invited to attend an event at the pool, at noon on Thursday, where people will "create a human fence, shoulder to shoulder, around what will be left of the community green space".
