The Driver Resource Centre was constructed in the mid 1980’s as a Childcare Facility co-located with the adjacent Driver Primary School. The Centre is no longer fit for purpose to meet the current and projected needs of the community. As a result, Council identified that it was project to plan for redevelopment to better address the needs of the community.
The new facility, known as the Driver Community Centre will see the following key elements:
- Provides spaces for the community differentiated from existing facilities based on a needs assessment process
- Use of pod design to create three spaces that can be hired separately
- Pod sizes are 66 square meters, 79 square meters and 111 square meters
- Future-proofing with flexibility for two pods to be merged into one if required
- Inclusive elements priorities, including accessibility, gender and culture considerations
- Centralised bathroom and kitchen amenities
- Integration into the landscape
- Considerate of neighbourhood, including the school and properties immediately adjacent
- Balance of street presence and privacy to suit a wide variety of user groups
Timeline of the project’s development:
- October 2022 – Needs assessment commenced, including stakeholder engagement
- July 2023 – Needs assessment and preliminary design completed
- August 2023 to October 2023 – Community consultation of preliminary design
- December 2023 – Outcomes of community consultation endorsed
- 2024 – Design finalised, including cost estimates
The project is now ready for delivery, with designs completed and permits being obtained.
The project is expected to cost around $3.9 million. Council is seeking $3 million in funding and aims to work with the Territory and Federal Governments to secure support. If funding is confirmed by the end of 2025, the project could begin in 2026.
Concept Visuals
