Sebastopol’s New Heart: Community Hub Nears Finish
The countdown is on as Sebastopol’s transformational community hub project nears completion.
In just a matter of months, the Sebastopol Community Hub (interim name) will be complete, the culmination of a successful three-way partnership between the City of Ballarat, Federal Government, and State Government.
Construction is expected to be completed in late November, about 18 months on from when the former Sebastopol Senior Citizens building was demolished.
A formal naming process for the Vickers Street facility still needs to occur before its name is finalised and registered with Geographic Names Victoria.
Once complete, the facility will become an intrinsic part of community life in Sebastopol, serving as a new home for the Sebastopol Senior Citizens, while also providing a new kindergarten, maternal and child health services, and spaces for community groups.
The collaborative project is supported by $4.5 million from the Federal Government’s Investing in Our Communities program and the $4.5 million from the State Government’s Building Blocks Capacity program.
City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor joined Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Ballarat construction firm Nicholson Construction for a tour of the site on Friday.
There has been significant progress made since the previous site tour in February, when preparations were only just under way for the concrete slab to be poured.
Now, the majority of the external facade of the building has been completed, with the facility able to reach the lock-up stage milestone before winter set in.
Internal plastering and painting are now being carried out, while work has begun on the external car park.
While construction is anticipated to be complete in late November, the facility will undergo a commissioning phase before the community is able to use the building from January 2026.
Cr Taylor said terrific progress had been made and the project shaped as a vital addition to Sebastopol and surrounding areas.
“This community hub is going to have an enormously positive impact on so many people’s lives, spanning across different demographics,” he said.
“To see such incredible progress on the project is extremely exciting and it gives me great anticipation to see the finished product.”
Quote from Catherine King said the new community hub would bring the community together.
“From local senior citizens to our littlest residents, this will be a place where people connect and memories are made,” she said.
“So much work has been done already to make this new facility a reality, and like the rest of the Sebastopol community, I can’t wait to see it open.”
Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison said the project would benefit a broad range of community members.
“The Allan Labor Government is backing the Sebastopol community with $4.5 million from the Building Blocks Capacity program,” she said.
“From our littlest learners to our valued senior citizens – this project will bring long-lasting benefits to the entire community.”
Enrolments at the 66-place kindergarten at the new Sebastopol facility are being taken for 2026 via the City of Ballarat kindergarten webpage. Kindergarten is free for everyone attending participating programs.
https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/news/new-heart-sebastopol-community-hub-nears-completion