Have your say on the proposed lease

Darebin City Council is proposing to lease the former police station at 25 Edwardes Street, Reservoir, to Hands-On-Health Australia for the purpose of operating a community wellbeing hub.

Hands-On-Health Australia were the successful applicant through an Expression of Interest process undertaken by Council, seeking community-oriented organisations to lease the vacant property.

As part of its obligations under the Local Government Act 2020, and in accordance with the principles of openness and transparency, Council is seeking submissions from the community on the proposed lease.

Lease's terms and conditions

Council proposes to lease the land under the following key terms and conditions:

• Initial Term: 5 years
• Indicative Commencement Date: 1 July 2025
• Further Terms: 2 further terms of 5 years each, subject to the Tenant meeting set conditions
• Permitted Use: Community Wellbeing Hub
• Commencing rent: $104.00 plus GST per annum.

Any person wishing to make a submission must do so in writing by one of the below methods no later than 11:59pm Wednesday 23 April 2025.

Enquiries can be directed to Darebin City Council’s Leasing & Licensing Team on 8470 8888.

Any person wishing to make a submission must do so in writing by one of the below methods no later than 11:59pm Wednesday 23 April 2025.

Submissions must be made in writing to Lee Mckenzie, Manager Buildings, Property & Capital, using one of the following:

Submissions must clearly state the grounds on which the proposed lease is supported or opposed and indicate what changes (if any) the submitter wishes to make.

Name and contact details of submitters are required for council to consider submissions and to notify such persons of the opportunity to attend council meetings and any public hearing held to consider submissions.

A person making a submission is entitled to request that they wish to appear in person, or to be represented by another person at Council’s Hearing of Submissions Committee meeting.

Any person making a written submission is advised that all submissions and personal information in the submission will be handled by Council in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.

All submissions will be included in a report that will be presented to the Hearing of Submissions Committee meeting on 12 May 2025 at 7.30pm.

Every presenter will only get 2 minutes to speak to the submission at the meeting.

Following consideration of submissions, Council may decide to grant the proposed lease or seek a variation to the proposal (including its refusal).

Hands-On-Health Australia is a national (three states) and international community based not-for-profit organisation seeking to help the disadvantaged in the community with the provision of allied health services, along with legal and financial referral services and an inclusive environment for all its visitors.

Hands-On-Health Australia’s vision for 25 Edwardes Street is to establish an inclusive, and friendly venue with a ‘heart’ for community engagement for the disadvantaged and others in need of allied health services, community social and wellbeing services, and mental health counselling along with financial and legal counsel.