Lara West Community Hub: What’s Planned for 2030?

Featured image: AI-generated illustration for visual purposes only. It does not represent the official design or completed Lara West Community Hub.

As Lara continues to grow, access to education, healthcare and community facilities is becoming increasingly important for local families.

One of the significant projects planned for the area is the Lara West Community Hub, an integrated facility proposed for Wattlebird Drive in the Lara West growth area.

The project forms part of a partnership between the City of Greater Geelong and the Victorian Government to support growing communities with early childhood education, family services and places for residents to connect.

Here’s what we know about the planned facilities, funding and expected opening timeline.

What Is the Lara West Community Hub?

The proposed Lara West Community Hub is designed to bring several important services together in one accessible location.

Rather than families needing to travel to separate facilities for early childhood education, health appointments and community activities, the development aims to provide a central location for these services.

The City of Greater Geelong has identified a site on Wattlebird Drive in Lara West, within an area experiencing ongoing residential development.

What Facilities Are Planned?

According to Council and the Victorian School Building Authority, the planned development is expected to include:

• More than 250 planned kindergarten enrolment places to give local children greater access to early childhood education. This refers to enrolment opportunities, not the number of children necessarily attending at one time.
• Maternal and child health services to support local families.
• Flexible community rooms for programs, events and local groups.
• Meeting spaces for community organisations and activities.
• A dedicated car park supporting access to the facility.

Council has also discussed opportunities for activities such as arts, exercise classes, support groups and programs for residents of different ages.

When Will Lara West Community Hub Open?

Current official project information identifies 2030 as the anticipated opening timeframe.

The Victorian School Building Authority lists a forecast project start in the third quarter of 2026 and a forecast finish in the fourth quarter of 2029.

These dates relate to project delivery, while Council’s anticipated 2030 opening allows for the facility to become operational.

Both timelines are forecasts and may change as planning, construction and service arrangements progress.

Why Is This Important for Lara West?

As more households establish themselves in Lara West, having convenient access to education, healthcare and community facilities is an important part of supporting the neighbourhood.

The proposed hub has the potential to bring everyday services closer to local homes while providing places for families, young people and community organisations to come together.

For residents considering the longer-term development of Lara West, projects such as this also provide useful insight into how local infrastructure is being planned alongside residential growth.

However, proposed infrastructure should not be treated as a guarantee of future property value growth. Property values depend on many factors, including supply, demand, location and individual property characteristics.

Where Can Residents Find Updates?

The project is being delivered through a partnership involving the City of Greater Geelong and the Victorian Government.

Official project pages will provide the most reliable information about construction progress, final facilities and future opening arrangements.

Sources: City of Greater Geelong and Victorian School Building Authority. Information reviewed November 2026. Project details, enrolment arrangements and opening dates may change.