Outcome of consultation

Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation for 136 Wattletree Road.

Council has now considered community feedback and made a decision about this site at a Council Meeting on 30 March 2026.

Why this decision was made

Council made this decision after carefully considering community feedback, alongside practical and financial factors.

Key reasons included:

  • After MECWA closed the opportunity shop and vacated the site, no alternative Council service use was identified for the property.
  • Retaining the property is not financially viable in the long term, given ongoing maintenance, compliance and holding costs.
  • Any net proceeds from the sale will be allocated to Council's Future Fund and reinvested in community infrastructure.

What we heard from the community

During the consultation period 8 December 2025 to 30 January 2026, we received a range of views from local community members.

The key themes raised, and Council’s responses, are summarised below.

Council considered this feedback alongside:
  • Strategic and financial considerations
  • Policy requirements
  • Advice from Council officers

What we heard

Council response

Retaining the property for community or charitable use
Feedback expressed a preference for the property to remain in Council ownership for ongoing community benefit. The site's history as a not-for-profit opportunity shop was referenced, with some believing it was donated for community use. Suggested future uses included a community hub or information centre, accessible meeting or activity space, facilities for people with disability, or small-scale community services.

  • After MECWA chose to close the opportunity shop and vacate the site, Council considered three options: demolition and conversion to open space, sale, or retaining the building for commercial lease.
  • MECWA has relocated its opportunity shop to 299 Waverley Road, Malvern East, and there are other not-for-profit opportunity shops nearby on Glenferrie Road. The property was not donated to Council.
  • Retaining the property is not financially viable in the long term, given ongoing maintenance, compliance and holding costs. No alternative Council service use has been identified for the site.
  • If sold, net proceeds would be allocated to Council's Future Fund and reinvested in community infrastructure.
Support for a sale, including expressions of interest
There was support for selling the property, with interest expressed in purchasing or leasing it for commercial or retail use. Feedback focused on practical considerations such as amenity, access and storage.



  • Council's Disposition Policy requires that any sale of public land delivers the greatest community benefit and is conducted through a transparent public process that maximises return while protecting Council and community interests.
  • If the proposed sale is approved, it will follow all statutory, governance and probity requirements. Any expressions of interest will be managed through this formal process.
Council's role, costs and long-term use
Questions were raised about whether Council should continue to hold the property, including concerns about ongoing costs, the viability of retaining it, and heritage protections.



  • Council regularly reviews its assets to ensure they remain financially sustainable and aligned with community needs. Where a property is no longer needed for core services, Council has an obligation to consider selling.
  • The property has heritage protections in place. Demolition was not supported by Council's Heritage Advisor.
  • The property may also be affected by the Victorian Government's Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres Program, which is currently underway in the area.
  • Any future use or development of the site would need to go through the planning process and comply with all relevant planning controls.



Want more information?

(Item 8.8 – Proposed Divestment 136 Wattletree Road, Malvern, from 1:25:06)

(Item 8.8 – Proposed Divestment 136 Wattletree Road, Malvern, page 263)

Community engagement

Intention to sell

We are seeking your feedback regarding the proposed sale of the property at 136 Wattletree Road, Malvern. The property has a retail floorspace of around 67 square metres and a total land size of about 85 square metres.

The property was previously occupied by MECWA trading as mecwacare, which operated a not-for-profit opportunity shop at the site from the early 1970s. In 1978, the former Council (City of Malvern) compulsorily acquired 136-146 Wattletree Road. No special or separate rates scheme funded the acquisition. Council later converted 138-146 Wattletree Road into a public car park and continued leasing 136 Wattletree Road to MECWA, with the long-term intention of using it for public parking in the future.

On 15 August 2025, MECWA chose to close the opportunity shop, end the lease and vacate the property.

Following this, Council assessed the future use and public value of the property.

The property is located within Heritage Overlay (HO156) the Claremont Avenue Precinct. Although previously listed as “ungraded”, a later heritage review identified it as a “contributory” place within the Glenferrie Road/High Street Precinct (HO349). Council adopted this updated grading in November 2022, and it is awaiting formal incorporation into the planning scheme.

Heritage advice confirmed that demolition is not supported due to the contributory grading.

Council considered three options for the future of the site: demolition, selling the property, or retaining it with a commercial lease. At its meeting on 17 November 2025, Council resolved to commence the process to undertake community consultation in accordance with section 114 of the Local Government Act 2020 in respect of the proposed sale of 136 Wattletree Road, Malvern. Copies of the Council report and minutes are available in the Document Library on this page.

Any net proceeds from the proposed sale will be reinvested into Council’s Future Fund.

Please note feedback must be received by 11.59pm on Friday 30 January 2026.

Following the conclusion of this consultation, a report will be presented to Council for consideration.

Survey

Current state of 136 Wattletree Road

Privacy Statement

The personal information requested in this survey is being collected by Council for the purpose of community consultation.

To find out how your personal information will be used by Council please visit the privacy policy page.

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