Proposed Lease of the Port Phillip EcoCentre

Thank you for telling us what you think about the proposed lease

We are now considering the feedback you have provided and will present this to a Council Meeting in February 2024.

Background

The redevelopment of the EcoCentre Facility in the St Kilda Botanical Gardens is underway and due for completion in mid 2024. The EcoCentre is a unique purpose-built facility co-funded by the Victorian Government for a particular purpose and use and is located on Crown Land.

Once completed, it's proposed that the EcoCentre Facility be leased to Port Phillip EcoCentre Incorporated under the following key terms:

Term: No greater than 15 years

Rent: Commencing at $104 +GST per year

Further information can be found in the Council Report which is available in the Document Library on this page or via this LINK.

We have now closed the survey on this topic

Follow this page for project updates.

Timeline

Timeline item 1 - complete

Council Meeting

4 October 2023
To approve community engagement on EcoCentre Lease
Timeline item 2 - complete

Engagement period

9 October - 6 November 2023
Timeline item 3 - active

Consider feedback & prepare report

November/December 2023
Timeline item 4 - incomplete

Council meeting

February 2024
Decision on the proposed lease
Timeline item 5 - incomplete

Victorian Government approval

February - June 2024

Background to the proposal

Redevelopment of the EcoCentre Facility in the St Kilda Botanical Gardens is underway and due for completion in mid 2024.

Under Council’s Property Policy, leases are typically up to 5 years. The Policy provides guidance that Council may negotiate a non-standard term for a lease or licence in particular circumstances.

The EcoCentre is a unique purpose-built facility co-funded by the Victorian Government for a particular purpose and use and is located on Crown Land. Officers consider that a departure from a 5-year term is justifiable in this instance and have recommended consulting the community on a lease duration up to 15 years. In their report to Council, officers highlighted their considerations relating to a shorter or longer term.

As the EcoCentre Facility is on Crown Land, the Lease requires Victorian Government approval.

Council is consulting on the length of the lease now, to enable approval of the lease by Victorian Government prior to the completion of the construction in mid-2024.

Council has previously engaged the community on the design of Redeveloped EcoCentre - 24 February to 22 March 2020.

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Name	Anthony Savenkov
Phone	0392096777
Email	property@portphillip.vic.gov.au