Expression of Interest process closing soon for former neighbourhood centre

The City of Marion is exploring options for the future of the former neighbourhood centre building at 1 Cumbria Court, Mitchell Park, with community groups and organisations invited to take part in a formal Expression of Interest process to use or buy the premises.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) process opened last month and will run until 28 October.

The process only encompasses the building on the site at 1 Cumbria Court, Mitchell Park. The green space is being retained as a community reserve.

EOI submissions must address all the criteria outlined in the ‘Cumbria Court Lease Criteria’ document available on the Making Marion webpage and interested parties will be expected to take part in a consultation and assessment process.

The Mitchell Park Neighbourhood Centre moved into the new multi-million-dollar Mitchell Park Sports and Community Centre on Moreland Avenue in June.

In April 2022, Council undertook public consultation to gain a general understanding of the wants and needs of the local community regarding the site at 1 Cumbria Court. This consultation included an option for Marion-focused community groups to express an interest in using the building.

In June 2022, Council decided to undertake additional public consultation, seeking community views on whether the City of Marion should begin the process of revoking the Community Land Classification on the open space portion of 1 Cumbria Court and the portion containing the building.

The community was also asked for its views on whether the site (once the Community Land Classification had been revoked) should be sold on the open market.

The response from the Mitchell Park community was resoundingly in favour of keeping the site as Community Land.

At a Special Meeting on August 30, Council decided not to pursue the process of revoking the classification and to keep the open space portion of the property as a community reserve.

Council also voted to defer a decision on the future of the building pending a formal Expression of Interest process seeking submissions from community groups that might be interested in a licence or lease over the premises or any organisation seeking to purchase the premises.

Details about the EOI process are available on Council’s www.makingmarion.com.au website.

For media enquiries, please contact the media team on: