Old Beaufort Primary School Master Plan to launch
Published on 07 May 2025
The Old Beaufort Primary School Master Plan and Early Works Project will be launched next Monday by Ripon MLA Martha Haylett.
While the former school site is owned by the Victorian Government, Pyrenees Shire Council is assisting with the master plan creation, along with architectural consultants Public Realm Lab.
The launch will be held at the site, 7-25 Hill Street, Beaufort (front gate via Hill Street) next Monday 12 May at 10 am.
The old Beaufort Primary School opened in 1864, becoming the 60th primary school opened in Victoria. It was closed in 2014 but has been extensively vandalised over the intervening years.
Funding of $800,000 for the master plan creation and early works was announced by the Victorian Government through Ripon MLA Martha Haylett in November 2022, with the aim of converting the site into a community hub.
A survey on Beaufort community facility use is being conducted as part of the master plan creation. The survey will help understand how Beaufort’s community assets are currently used, confirm community group activities, and identify groups that might not have a suitable space yet.
Pyrenees Shire Council would like to thank residents who have provided feedback so far on the initial survey.
Pyrenees Shire Council Mayor Cr Tanya Kehoe said it was wonderful the project was starting to generate excitement in the community.
“We hope to build on that in coming weeks,” Cr Kehoe said. “This initial survey is intended to gain background information on what our community and groups currently use for facilities and identify potential gaps that could be filled by re-energising the old school site.”
The survey will remain open until the end of May and is available on Council’s website via engage.pyrenees.vic.gov.au/p60-old-beaufort-primary-school-masterplan-survey and a QR code, and in hard copy at Council’s office reception, libraries and at other locations around Beaufort. All feedback received will be taken on board and will inform ongoing engagement.
“The next stages of engagement will be conducted via targeted consultation with key community stakeholders and a second survey will be issued soon that will ask you for your ideas on the future use of the old school site from a community perspective,” Cr Kehoe said.
“The second survey will be circulated via a mail-out so look out for this in your letter box in the next few weeks.”
Caption: Ripon MLA Martha Haylett, Pyrenees Shire Councillor Damian Ferrari and Pyrenees Shire Council CEO Jim Nolan when the Old Beaufort Primary School Master Plan funding was announced.