Future of Quambatook Senior Citizens Hall, Guthrie St units determined

Published on 22 August 2025

Gannawarra Shire Council has determined the future of two of its Quambatook-based infrastructure assets.

At its August 2025 meeting Council resolved to sell the Quambatook Senior Citizens Hall (pictured), with a decision regarding proceeding with the sale of three residential units located at 9-11 Guthrie Street to be made at the May 2026 Council Meeting.

Decisions regarding the future of both sites were made following a community engagement campaign held during November and December 2024, which saw Council receive 19 submissions regarding both locations, as well as a vacant Council-owned block of land at Quambatook and the Kerang Saleyards.

“Council is committed to providing services to our communities and continuing to being economically viable,” Mayor Garner Smith said.

“These locations were identified during a high-level review that focused on non-core infrastructure assets that are not directly linked to any services currently provided by Council.”

Previously used by the town’s senior citizens club and for other functions, a recent structural condition assessment determined the Quambatook Senior Citizens Hall is in very poor condition, exhibiting widespread severe cracking, movement, and dislodgement of masonry walls, likely due to reactive clay soils and prolonged degradation.

“The Quambatook Senior Citizens Hall has served the community for many years, however repairs required to bring the building to its original standard would likely be unjustifiable,” Mayor Smith said.

Meanwhile, Council acquired the three residential units at Guthrie Street from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to supplement home and community-based services offered by its Community Care Services team prior to Council’s decision to cease providing these services in late 2023.

“Although not linked to any of our services since late 2023, Council retained these units to ensure existing tenants were looked after, as well as for anyone new to the area,” Mayor Smith said.

A decision regarding the vacant block of land and the future of the Kerang Saleyards was made in February 2025, with discussions regarding the hall and units put on hold for six months out of respect to the community following the tragedy which impacted the local community in January.

“At the time my fellow Councillors and I agreed that following the tragic events of mid-January that continue to impact the community today, it was not the right time to determine the future of the hall and units,” Mayor Smith said.

“Council thanks the Quambatook community for providing input into the future of these sites, and we will discuss best options regarding the future sale of these assets with all relevant community groups.”