Planning kicks off to revitalise old primary school site

The Andrews Labor Government is investing in regional communities by repurposing the Old Kyneton Primary School to deliver a thriving creative precinct for the local community.

Development of the master plan – led by future site operator Working Heritage and local architect Winwood McKenzie – is now underway, with the community invited to contribute their views on the future hub.

The Labor Government is contributing $12 million to the Old Kyneton Primary School redevelopment project, with the master plan exploring the vision for the overall site, including how existing buildings could be best used.

Based in Kyneton and Melbourne, Winwood McKenzie specialise in heritage, residential and commercial renovations. Their current projects include the redevelopment of the Northcote Theatre.

Architects Fieldwork – whose previous projects include the Collingwood Yards redevelopment – have also been appointed to undertake design work focused on restoring the building for use by local creatives and the broader community.

Overseen by Development Victoria through Creative Victoria, this design component of the project has already commenced, with work underway to better understand the site’s current condition.

To view and respond to the masterplan head to engage.vic.gov.au/old-kyneton-primary-schoolredevelopment Along with the master plan, other important planning documents are now available to the community, including a Memorandum of Heritage Advice, Summary of Planning Controls, and a Traffic Engineering Report for public consideration.

Working Heritage also invites prospective tenants or anyone in the community who may be interested in using the space in future to register their interest at workingheritage.com.au Quote attributed to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas

"It is exciting to see the Old Kyneton Primary School take its next steps toward becoming a thriving creative hub for our local community, we encourage everyone to have their say to shape the future of the site."

Quote attributable to Working Heritage Committee of Management Chair Kerry Anderson
"We look forward to hearing from prospective tenants and users of the Old Kyneton Primary School as it forges a new future. The Registration of Interest is an important first step in identifying how we can bring people and activity back to this wonderful site."