The Dimboola Social Enterprise Plan presents the results of initial investigations into developing the former Dimboola Hotel site in the town’s main street.

Fire gutted the pub in 2003.

Graeme Schneider – who bought the hotel in 2014, after the court ordered the previous owner to demolish it – has worked on the plan with Dimboola’s Mary Clarke. 

Ms Clarke said two ideas were investigated: a craft brewery and cafe; and a function centre and restaurant. “We investigated the brewery prior to a community meeting in March,” she said.

“During that meeting it became evident that a brewery wasn’t the future – it wasn’t the right fit for the town.

“The other option came about directly from the things people identified they wanted in town.

“Our objective is to choose a redevelopment that benefits the whole community, and create something visually spectacular for the street.”

Dimboola Wandjana is the working title for the project.

Ms Clarke said she and Mr Schneider had identified people with relevant business skills and knowledge to form a board.

“Nothing will be started until we complete the community consultation however,” she said. “We are calling for feedback on the report. 

“I have approached businesses in town and asked them to provide a response about how this development might impact them, both positively and negatively.

“The community consultation process will be completed by the end of this month.

“The process would then involve getting some start-up seed funding, and we’ll be lobbying government bodies.”

The report outlines a timeline for the project from that point, starting with the release of a community and board-approved concept and project brief in October.

Earth works would start in October 2018, and construction from February the next year.

“That’s an ideal timeline, but of course it is dependent on funding,” Ms Clarke said.

She said social enterprise was a relatively new concept many people did not understand.

“Essentially it’s a business that exists for social benefit and not just profit, though it must be profitable as well,” she said.

“We think this will have a huge impact on the town.”