The former Wonthaggi Secondary School has sat disused since it closed in 2019. The site is under management by the Department of Education, and Council would like this prominent site unlocked to provide benefit to the entire Bass Coast community.

Prime location

Located on McBride Avenue, the 1.8 hectare site offers a rare opportunity to plan and develop this kind of prime CBD real estate in the heart of a regional centre such as Wonthaggi.

Multiple potential uses - feasibility study underway

Bass Coast Shire Council has commenced detailed pre-feasibility studies, which include site use options report, exhaustive examinations of the site’s condition, including building and structural integrity, heritage and safety. Investigative work will identify short-, medium- and long-term costs plus risks associated with Council taking on the site, to ensure a full understanding of the impact to Council in managing the site.

In the 2025-26 Budget, we’ve allocated $350,000 to begin what will be a multi-year project. This funding will allow us to unpack some of the complex planning constraints, establish the necessary frameworks to guide negotiations with potential partners and stakeholders, and determine land use options.

Multiple uses for the site are being considered as part of the pre-feasibility study.

Community engagement

The potential future use of this site is of high importance to the Wonthaggi community. Council has a Community Reference Group (CRG) in place to advice on the future direction of Wonthaggi.

Council will continue to engage with the CRG and broader community throughout the project to ensure that the communities’ voice is heard.