community facility · 1 meeting
Henley Community Centre
Mentions
- Part of the expression-of-interest assessment and proposed future multi-use facility.
- The future use, restoration and community access arrangements for this heritage site will be reconsidered, with residents invited to help shape its vision and support an advocacy campaign.
- Residents should be able to identify when AI has materially contributed to Council communications, reports or decisions.
- Community groups can apply for higher maximum grants, with project funding recommendations expected later in the year.
- The project is moving to a more detailed assessment stage, while Council retains the option not to proceed and prefers a flexible, multi-use community facility.
- The outcome could affect the site's preservation, public use, cost to Council and community access.
Decisions
The Priory
Council will investigate terminating the agreement with Priory Settlement Pty Ltd, retain its role as Crown Land Manager, prepare a business plan and funding options within three months, consult the community, investigate a new adaptive-reuse expression of interest, and advocate for State funding for restoration works.
The future use, restoration and community access arrangements for this heritage site will be reconsidered, with residents invited to help shape its vision and support an advocacy campaign.
AI Usage Policy
Council adopted its AI Usage Policy with an added transparency requirement. Council must disclose AI involvement when it contributes to public-facing content, service delivery or decisions affecting individuals or community outcomes, subject to a limited exception for grammar, clarity and formatting only.
Residents should be able to identify when AI has materially contributed to Council communications, reports or decisions.
Community Grants Policy
Council adopted the Community Grants Policy and program dates, increasing application ranges to $500–$2,000 and $200–$750 for the two grant categories. Councillors Carla Kassab and Ross Williams were appointed to the advisory panel, and funding recommendations are due in October 2026.
Community groups can apply for higher maximum grants, with project funding recommendations expected later in the year.
Henley Community Centre and Eastern Green
Council endorsed inviting four preferred expression-of-interest proponents to provide further information and attend due-diligence meetings. Assessment will cover financial capacity, feasibility, community access, delivery timeframes, development approvals, capital works, maintenance, leases and risks. Council made clear that no proponent, lease, development outcome or funding commitment has yet been approved.
The project is moving to a more detailed assessment stage, while Council retains the option not to proceed and prefers a flexible, multi-use community facility.
Topics
The Priory heritage site
Council is reconsidering the existing agreement and exploring adaptive reuse, restoration funding and future Crown Land management.
The outcome could affect the site's preservation, public use, cost to Council and community access.
Buffalo Creek Recreation Area
The Buffalo Creek AFL Concept Plan will guide future funding applications and investigations, subject to Crown Land management arrangements and community consultation.
Residents may see further consultation and potential recreation upgrades, but implementation depends on grants and later approvals.
Community grant funding
Grant ceilings were amended for cost escalation and a new advisory panel was confirmed.
Eligible community organisations may seek larger grants under the revised program.
Henley facility due diligence
Four preferred proponents will be assessed further for a possible multi-use facility at Henley Community Centre and Eastern Green.
The next report should provide more information about options, finances, property implications and delivery pathways.
Arts Advisory Committee
Richa Panicker, Twinkle Jayachandran and Amy Pang were approved as artist members for the current Council term, with changes to the committee's terms of reference if needed.
The appointments broaden community and artist representation in Council's arts advisory work.