Why We’re Talking About This

Our Council is reviewing our workplace facilities, in order to continue to support our team and to ensure that our valued services to the Meander Valley community can be delivered for decades to come. To keep delivering the services you rely on, Council needs more fit-for-purpose facilities for our team and for community use with additional workspaces and a more accommodating Council Chambers. 

During 2025, we’ve been carefully exploring options to achieve this. After much consideration, we’ve narrowed these down to two practical proposals, and we want your feedback before a final decision is made. 

We would like to be clear that no decisions have been made and that we are listening to the community's thoughts. We're asking for your feedback on two options, so we can make the best decision together. 

Option 1: Using existing assets by opening up the Westbury Town Hall

We're proposing a new way to use the beautiful, historic Westbury Town Hall. Right now, as it has been for many years, it’s mostly locked up and rarely used. We'd love to see it opened up, not just for Council meetings, but for the community, too.

Under this proposal:

• The Town Hall would be refurbished to become a shared, flexible space. Council would use it as its new Council Chambers, and the community could continue to use it for a range of meetings and events. There would be no employee office space in the Hall.
• The Westbury Supper Room would be refurbished to accommodate varying uses by Council employees and the community, and
• The existing Council Chambers would be converted into office space for Council employees.

This option is estimated to take 6 months and is expected to cost around $500,000.

By having monthly Council meetings in this magnificent historical venue, we can open it to the public and breathe new life into the building, while still having it available for community use when needed. 

This option celebrates this beautiful historic building, honour its lasting legacy by opening the Town Hall’s doors to our community.

The adjoining Westbury supper room would see refurbishment and upgrades to make it a more inviting, casual meeting space for both community and Council. 

Option 2: Building new assets

Under this option:

• An old storage shed at the Council Offices would be removed and a new building would be constructed on the same site. It would provide additional office space for Council employees.
• The Westbury Town Hall would remain as it currently is.
• The Westbury Supper Room would be refurbished to accommodate varying uses by Council employees and the community.
• The existing Council Chambers would remain as they currently are.

While this approach addresses long-term space needs, it comes with a higher cost to rate payers and a longer timeline.

This option is estimated to take 18 months and is expected to cost around $1,100,000.
 

The location of the shed is situated at the back of the Council Offices. This shed would be demolished (as it no longer has the structural integrity to be retained and repurposed) and a new building constructed in its place.

Tell Us What You Think

We’re listening. We want to know what matters most to you before a final decision is made. Please share your thoughts on the options below — every response helps us make the best choice for our community.