What’s next for the former Dimboola Hotel site? | Timeline

THE Dimboola community will know next month whether an iconic former hotel site in the town's main street will be redeveloped.

October marks 15 years since fire gutted the Dimboola Hotel.

Paul Rintel bought the pub’s freehold for $1 a year after the blaze. However despite promises to renovate the building, it stood as a burned-out shell for years.

It was demolished in 2014 as a result of a court order.

The following year, former Dimboola resident Graeme Schneider bought the pub and cleaned the site, with the intention to develop it as a community space.

Now, that vision is the subject of a $200,000 grant application through the Pick My Project program. The initiative allows people to nominate projects in their community for a share of $30 million.

Residents had a month to vote for their favourites, and the state government will announce successful projects next month.

Mr Schneider said the idea for an open community arts and reflection space at the site had been well received.

In the past few years, other concepts including a function centre or restaurant have also been explored.

“I went to a Dimboola Town Committee meeting a few months ago and floated the prospect of going through the Pick My Project scheme,” Mr Scheider said.

“I’ve given approval for use of the site for at least two years, with a review afterwards to see if what we’re trying to achieve will work.

“We want to create an environment that’s unique and visually appealing that will benefit the community.”

Mr Schneider said it was imperative the site was redeveloped.

“It’s always been my intention for community to pick up that site. That’s why I purchased it – for it to provide for the community,” he said.

“It’s a space people can or would use if it’s available.

“I think it's critical to the success of the whole town. It's the most prominent site in the area – everyone goes past.”

Dimboola Town Committee secretary Jo Donnelly said residents were keen to see the corner site redeveloped. She hopes the Pick My Project initiative allows the community that chance.

“We have many eager volunteers that would be willing to get involved and help with the process of turning it into a community space for all to enjoy,” she said.

“The whole town is very saddened still by the loss of the Dimboola Hotel so many years ago. It was such a beautiful old hotel and in the perfect position in town. And now that it is just an empty block, it is a constant reminder to all that remember it.

“Graeme, being an expat of Dimboola, has always had a vision – held by many in the town – of the corner site being used as a vibrant community space.

“Dimboola is such a lovely town nestled on the beautiful Wimmera River, and being halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide it gets quite a few tourists calling through and/or stopping over for a few days. 

“We are all very proud of our town, and are very keen to see the corner site developed in a way that would benefit the whole community.”