The facility was opened on Monday, alongside a major upgrade to the Dereel community hall.

The project, which received $500,000 in funding from Regional Development Victoria and $496,000 from Golden Plains Shire Council, has delivered new professional service rooms, a new multi-purpose room and links between the new and existing facilities. 

The improvements will enable a significant expansion to Ballarat Community Health diabetes, dietitian, exercise and physiology programs and maternal and child health services.                     

The multi-purpose room can also be used by locals for meetings and community-run yoga and meditation classes.

The facility will also be able to respond to the growing demand for professional services in Smythesdale and surrounding areas.

The Dereel community hall now features a revamped hall area, new kitchen, dining area and storage space and new indoor and outdoor toilets.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Des Phelan, said the projects are crucial for further development of the shire’s social and business sectors.

“These projects, with a cumulative cost of $1.7 million, will increase recreation and social opportunities, expand and enhance community and business meeting spaces and prevent graffiti,” Cr Phelan said.

​Buninyong MP Geoff Howard said both the Smythesdale centre and Dereel hall will be crucial for the respective townships and surrounding areas.

“This major expansion of the Smythesdale Business and Wellbeing Hub is great news for the local community, delivering improved health services and more meeting spaces for people from the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Dereel skate park upgrade was also unveiled as part of an innovative graffiti prevention project.

The initiative saw 40 young volunteers paint murals at the Dereel, Enfield, Haddon and Lethbridge skate parks to help prevent instances of local graffiti.