Long-awaited plans for the Hepburn Hub at The Rex are now available for the community to view online.
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Hepburn Shire Council first began the process to build the Hepburn Hub in 2013.
The proposed site for the multipurpose community and council facility was changed to The Rex in August 2016 after community concerns were raised about the previously decided site for the hub at the Daylesford Town Hall.
The community hub designs began in October 2016 after council acquired The Rex.
Plans released on Friday show the exterior of The Rex building will remain “much the same”. The space inside will include a library, cafe, council offices, public toilets and the cinema.
The cinema will be moved upstairs to the first floor with the library and council offices replacing most of the space on the ground floor.
“The current library is too small to cater for the level of visitation it receives,” the council plan says.
“The new library will provide double the amount of space available.
“The Rex cinema and auditorium will be located on the first floor of the Rex complex, reinstating the first floor use to what it once was.”
Works on the hub project are scheduled to begin later this month.
Construction is expected to take six to nine months to complete, but parts of the new hub including the cinema and public toilets will be opened as they are completed.
Public toilets are available next to the Visitor Information Centre approximately 250 metres from The Rex.
Hepburn Shire Council chief executive officer Aaron van Egmond said that some disruptions were likely during the construction process.
“We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused to the community and visitors during the construction works,” he said. “This is a big project with some big benefits for the community.”
The Rex car park (off Duke Street) and access from Duke Street to Vincent Street via The Rex will also be closed for the duration of the construction works.
“We ask for your patience over the coming months during the construction of the Hepburn Hub at The Rex,” Mr van Egmond said.
“Once complete the facility will be a true community hub in the Daylesford CBD, with access to council services, library, community spaces and a social enterprise cafe.”
Plans for The Rex are available at https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/hepburn-hub-at-the-rex-plans-available/. Plans can also be viewed at Hepburn Shire Council customer service offices and at The Rex.