THE controversial $10 million Hepburn Hub proposed for Daylesford will respond to desperate needs, says Hepburn Shire mayor Kate Redwood.
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In responding to resident concern, she said the hub was one way to fix deteriorating and undersized facilities.
"We have a library about half the size it needs to be, and demand is growing," she said.
"We have a Town Hall which doesn't have proper disability access and is falling apart.
"And we want a commercial kitchen there for community functions too - not just a pie warmer."
She said council staff, which are currently working out of several buildings, also needed more space.
"We have people working in hallways and we don't even meet the OH&S requirements... When they're working in such conditions, they don't feel valued.
"Things aren't good enough as it stands."
Cr Redwood said the hub was just one solution to the ongoing problem, which had been an issue for more than a decade.
She also assured residents the facility would not impact rates, as the funding would come out of council's capital works budget and state and federal funding.
"What's at stake is the need for better facilities for Daylesford," she said.
"There are a lot of good aspects to the hub, including the environmental proposals and most importantly, it responds to things that need to be improved.
"I ask people to look at the needs of our community rather than oppose something on the basis of initial drafts."
