General News
16 January, 2026
People power
A MUCH-loved community hall has avoided the demolition bulldozer after residents rallied to save the structure at Miriwinni.
After it was revealed last year that the little-used hall (above) in Niven Park, Greer Rd, was to be knocked down last October, a large meeting of residents was held and decided to form an incorporated association to lease the building.
Cr Brett Moller (Div. 1) said the result was “quite a good, if not a great little community story”.
“The community hall down at Niven Park, Mirriwinni, if you have a look at the report, over the last five or more years, was very poorly used,” he told the last council meeting.
Cr Moller said there had been just booking since 2020, yet the council had to maintain the hall and pay power, water and other bills.
“One booking since 2020 notwithstanding, our council were incurring costs each year to maintain to a standard, and it was a forgotten hall by the community, so the recommendation was that the hall be demolished,” Cr Moller said.
“And the officers came to me with that, and I said, well, we need to circulate letters in the community, knowing full well that we would no doubt have a response.
“And we did. There was a big meeting with quite a large number of very passionate and motive residents down there.
“And you can appreciate the history of that hall built by the community, way back when 21st weddings, you know, so there were a lot of memories there, but the proposal was, well, you’re not using the hall. What other improvements and investment do you want council to make in the park?
“Very quickly, we were told we’re not interested in that. We want to know how to save the hall.”
Cr Moller said within two weeks, the community met, formed a committee, applied for incorporation, obtained an incorporation and proceeded with the application for lease.
“They’ve already had numerous meetings, fundraising, sausage sizzles, working at a staged process in terms of upgrades, working closely with the officers and the Mirriwinni community has a purpose – and that’s to save the hall.”
Cr Moller said it was “a great outcome”.
A council report said community consultation and discussion had resulted in the formation of the Mirriwinni and District Community Hub (MDCH) to operate, preserve and maintain the hall.
“The intent of the space moving forward is to provide an all-weather meeting space for the Mirriwinni community,” the report said. The lease is for five years. The report noted that in 2018, hall bookings peaked at 139, fell to 75 in 2019 and then none for the next five years, except for one in 2021.
The hub will be responsible for sewerage, water, electricity, phone, gas, public liability insurance and bin collection.
