Hepburn Shire Council has agreed to move the Hub project to 14a Victoria Street as a way of protecting the 135-year-old building, while still forging ahead with its plans for a much-needed community facility.

The move comes after years of contention and division within Trentham’s community, including hot debate that has sprung up in recent months following a large protest to save the hall in May. The council’s initial plans were to bulldoze the Mechanics Institute and replace it with the new facility.

Last week, council knocked back several motions aimed at continuing public consultation. An idea for a citizen’s jury was quashed, as was a suggestion to distribute a paper survey to all residents in the Coliban ward, asking which site they would like the Hub to be built.

Councillor Bill McClenaghan proposed the alternative, council-owned site. A separate motion moved by Coliban ward councillor Sebastian Klein, to upgrade the hall and build the Hub on the same block as the Mechanics’, was subsequently rejected.

Cr McClenaghan said building onto the Mechanics Institute’ site did not make sense, as there would not be any room for parking, and it would also mean changing some aspects of the existing hall.

“(14a) is nearly twice the size and we won’t have to delete anything,” he said.

“It’s close to the hospital, it’s really close to the town centre. This 6000 sqm of council land in Victoria Street is ideal for the Trentham Hub.”

Councillor Pierre Niclas said although the proposal was sound, it was “outrageous” and “out of step” to make the decision without further community consultation.

Councillor Greg May agreed, stating the community should be given the ultimate say. “It might well be the Victoria Street site is the best site to build the Hub...but this motion doesn’t give the community the choice.”