We will fund most of the purchase through our open space reserve which is made up of open space developer contributions and is completely separate from our operating funds. This money can only be used for public open space and can’t be used to fund our other projects and services.

Our community has the least open space per person in metropolitan Melbourne, so the opportunity to buy this very special property for the benefit of our local community is an important priority. We are very grateful to the Elsternwick Club Board and members for entrusting us with the future of the historic site.

We plan to retain the beautiful Italianate heritage building and redevelop the rest of the site into public open space. The sale involves a three-year settlement period, giving us the opportunity to work with the community on options for the design.    

We have been in discussions with the Club since August last year and conducted a rigorous assessment, finding the large site is a major opportunity for community use in an identified open space gap area. 

After the sale is finalised, we will engage with the community on the future of this special new community asset.