The hub construction is underway - now we need to name it!

We’re redeveloping the site at 33 Saxon St, Brunswick to create a community hub that will draw visitors in to experience a range of community activities and events.

The upgrade will create approximately 3,500sqm of floorspace and will deliver an accessible and functional building with welcoming and affordable spaces for creatives, artists and the Brunswick community.

We purchased the site in 2010 when it was home to an old school with large buildings, a heritage house and public open space. In 2016 we appointed These Are The Projects We Do Together, to manage the site as ‘Siteworks’, and with First Nations contemporary art gallery, Blak Dot, created a thriving arts and community hub. This activation provided the vision for the future of 33 Saxon Street.

The 2017 Strategic Framework set the principles and priorities for the facility, including redevelopment for future use:

  • Creating more affordable arts space
  • Increasing public open space
  • Including a variety of community uses
  • Creating a place to come together and build community.

After an extensive community engagement process to gather community ideas for the design, a revised design concept for the site was approved in November 2021 with consideration of the strategic framework.

Planning was lodged in March 2022 and a permit issued in January 2023 (ref MPS/2022/194). Council endorsed the construction tender in December 2022 with construction due to start after demolition in June 2023. Completion is expected by the end of 2024.

Find out more about background of the site and redevelopment of 33 Saxon Street on our website.

Suggest a name for the new hub

Everyone is invited to suggest a name (or multiple names!). We want ot hear from as many people as possible.

After submissions close a shortlist will be chosen and presented to Council for endorsement. The community will then be asked to select their preference before Council makes the final decision.

You can submit your name suggestion below, just make sure you're registered with Conversations Merri-bek. You can also submit your name suggestion online, by mail, email or in-person.

The deadline for submissions has been extended to 11:59pm, Tuesday 31 October 2023.

Preference will be given to submissions that:

  • 1.

    Are traditional Woi-wurrung or other Aboriginal language names.

  • 2.

    Acknowledge the role of groups or communities within Merri-bek.

  • 3.

    Acknowledge the contributions of Merri-bek's multi-cultural communities.

  • 4.

    Acknowledge important social and historical events that happened on or near the site.

  • 5.

    Are names of women who have contributed to Merri-bek's development.

Names must meet principles A- M of the State Government’s Naming rules for places in Victoria – Statutory requirements for naming roads, features and localities – 2022.
Traditional Aboriginal language names are subject to the involvement and agreement of the relevant Aboriginal communities. It is not appropriate that the names of living persons be considered for place naming. More information can be found in the Naming Merri-bek's Places Policy.

Submit your suggested name (or names)

You will need to be a member of Conversations Merri-bek to make a submission. This is to protect the integrity and fairness of the consultation. See instructions on this page on how to register (or log in).

This survey will close at 11:59, Tuesday 31 October

1. Click on the 'LOG IN/JOIN' button at the top of the page to start registering.

2. Select 'LOG IN' if you already have a profile on Conversations Merri-bek, or select 'SIGN UP' to create a new profile.

3. To create your profile you will need to add: Screen name, email address, password, full name and postcode. Check the boxes that apply and click 'CREATE ACCOUNT'

4. Now you can make your submission.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic).

For more information on how we handle the collection of personal information please refer to our Privacy Policy.

You can gain access to your personal information you have provided to Merri-bek City Council and if you wish to alter it, please contact Council’s Privacy Officer via telephone on 03 9240 1111 or e-mail at: Privacyofficer@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

Other ways to submit your name suggestions


Mail:

Attention: Pip Carroll
Places Project Officer
Merri-bek City Council
Locked Bag 10, Brunswick 3056

Email:
pcarroll@merri-bek.vic.gov.au

In person:
At Merri-bek Civic Centre, 90 Bell Street, Coburg.

Please include the reference NAM/2023/3, your suggested name and your reasons for suggesting it.


Artists impression of the new 33 Saxon Street