murnong Community Centre

A new $11.4 million community centre has been completed for Donnybrook, with the multipurpose facility delivering essential services to the fast-growing community.

Background

Donnybrook’s population is expected to grow substantially in the coming years, with the number of residents predicted to increase from just 5,210 in 2023 to more than 48,123 by 2041.

This population growth means that a range of community infrastructure is required to meet the needs of these local families.

About the centre

Construction of the murnong Community Centre, located in the Olivine Estate, is complete and soon the facility will start delivering essential community services to the Donnybrook community.

The centre includes a mini-branch library giving residents access to Yarra Plenty Regional Library’s extensive catalogue, as well as free Wi-Fi and flexible spaces to work, study, connect and relax.

Community groups and residents will be able to hold events or programs in either a large community hall, or one of the multipurpose rooms.

Two kindergarten rooms will help meet the need for three- and four-year-old kinder, while Maternal and Child Health Services will be delivered from two consultation suites.

Opening

The City of Whittlesea is hosting an event to celebrate the community centre’s opening on 21 February 2026 from 9am.

Find more information on murnong Community Centre Open Day

Partners

The City of Whittlesea has partnered with the Victorian Government to deliver this facility.

Council is contributing $4 million towards the centre, with the Victorian Government providing:

$4.5 million from the Building Blocks Program
$2 million from its Growing Suburbs Fund
$709,500 its Living Libraries Infrastructure Program
$180,000 from the Changing Places Program.

Sustainability measures

The murnong Community Centre includes a number of sustainability features, including:

A 40kW Solar PV system to offset power use
Rain garden, permeable car park and water tank used for toilets and irrigation
Reclaimed and recycled content and certified sustainability materials are specified in the project
Natural ventilation mixed with mechanical service for optimum ventilation
Optimum building orientation for heating and cooling
Double glazed windows
Indigenous plants specified for the landscape area.

Naming the centre

The name murnong means ‘yam daisy’ in the Woi Wurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. It reflects the indigenous flora found across Donnybrook and surrounding suburbs. The roots of the murnong plant were an important traditional food source for many Aboriginal people.

In April 2023, Council invited community feedback on the murnong Community Centre name and received 30 responses, with most submissions supporting the name.

murnong Kindergarten

murnong Community Centre will include a 66-place kindergarten to complement the existing 33-place kindergarten on the Donnybrook Primary School site next door.

To enrol in three or four-year-old kindergarten at murnong Kindergarten in 2026, visit Council's kindergarten application page.