Council and St Kilda Football Club kick goals for Healthy Futures Hub

Published on 30 September 2021

Plans for a community Healthy Futures Hub at Seaford – for sport, health and wellbeing, with specific benefits for vulnerable groups in Frankston City – developed in partnership by Frankston City Council and St Kilda Football Club have taken a step forward.

Frankston City Councillors voted unanimously to adopt motions, including community consultation, at their 20 September Council Meeting.

Councillors voted to support in principle the leasing, under new terms, of the Linen House facility at Belvedere Reserve, Seaford, to St Kilda Football Club for the development and use of a community health and wellbeing hub. This will be subject to the completion of a community consultation process.

Councillors noted a further report will be submitted to Council no later than December 2021 to report back on the submissions arising from the community consultation, enabling Council to make a decision regarding the new lease.

Councillors also noted that negotiations with St Kilda Football Club have been constructive, with good will demonstrated by both parties.

Mayor Kris Bolam said: “The new lease agreement is proposed for Belvedere Reserve to support a healthier community through an innovative partnership with St Kilda Football Club.”

The Mayor said project conditions will include the site being used for sport, health and wellbeing, with specific benefits for vulnerable groups in Frankston City and Council having a significant say on sub-tenanting and hiring arrangements, as well as the provision that the facility must be affordable and accessible for local community and sporting organisations.

Mayor Bolam added that St Kilda propose to run the facility as a Healthy Futures Hub with sub tenant partners to meet the vision of providing community benefit for health and wellbeing with specific benefit targeted towards Frankston’s vulnerable residents.

Mayor Bolam added: “I want to thank St Kilda for the good faith they have demonstrated during this process. St Kilda are to be commended for their approach. It’s now over to the public to provide their feedback and I am looking forward to receiving that input.”

The Mayor said it is envisaged there will be collaboration with industry leaders to deliver high quality programs and research in the health and wellbeing sector with an intergenerational, all abilities and community sport focus.

Mayor Bolam added: “It is anticipated the facility will provide a platform for local community partners to grow through the shared customer based and knowledge of St Kilda Football Club’s partner network. This will create a multi-purpose facility with organisations who genuinely complement each other.”

St Kilda Football Club CEO, Matt Finnis, said he was looking forward to the project progressing.

Mr Finnis said: “The Healthy Futures Hub project has the potential to become a signature community asset for the Frankston region at a time when it is needed most.

“The collaboration between the Saints, Council and community based organisations has successfully progressed the Hub concept from an idea to the brink of reality.

“We now look forward to hearing from community members to help us shape the delivery of programs and services which will have the most positive impact on their health and wellbeing,” Mr Finnis said.

North West Ward Cr Sue Baker added that there is a growing sense of optimism and excitement regarding the Healthy Futures Hub project.

Cr Baker stressed there will be significant community consultation and the Council is looking forward to receiving input and feedback from residents, adding: “We welcome feedback from the community on the lease proposal. Consultation will be open for a period of four weeks.”

Cr Baker noted that Belvedere Community Centre has been identified as a priority organisation to be included as a sub-tenant, as their primary focus is to service the community.

Other partners that are also intended to operate from the site as sub tenants include leading disability service providers Wallara, Everyday independence and Pathways to Care in addition to Chelsea Longbeach Physiotherapy.

Arrangements are also being finalised with some other community football organisations along with industry leaders in education, research and community health.

Belvedere Community Centre Manager, Meredith MacKenzie, said the Healthy Futures Hub presented an amazing opportunity, adding: “The new facility will give us the ability to tap into the skills and resources of St Kilda Football Club and the other facility users.

“We will be able to continue to develop these partnerships and through these collaborations provide a wider range of programs to meet the ever changing community needs, particularly as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee of Management at Belvedere Community Centre are keen to be part of this vibrant, multi-faceted community facility that will benefit the local and wider community for years to come,” Ms MacKenzie said.

Residents can provide input and their views until 5pm, 1 November 2021. For more information and to have your say, please visit https://engage.frankston.vic.gov.au/new-healthy-future-hub