The future of the Milang Lakeside Butter Factory is being put in the community’s hands, with input soon to be sought on how residents would like to see the building managed. 

As previously reported in The Southern Argus, the Milang and District Community Association (MDCA), together with the community, became the proud owners of the old factory in July 2016, and volunteers have been working hard to redevelop the site into a facility the community can enjoy ever since.

The most recent restoration works have seen the interior flooring and electrical work completed, in addition to the installation of a footpath, proper curbing and car parking in front of the factory. 

The toilets and cottage are next on the agenda. 

“We’ve just cleared the back to put the toilets in, so that will be the next step,” MDCA Manager, Stuart Jones, said.  

“To have the toilets, we’ll be able to open up and have people come in, have a look and do some activities in there at least. 

“Then the cottage is going to be started on as well.”

The butter factory’s management model is also next on the to-do list.

MDCA plans to send out a survey in the coming weeks about its strategic plan, which will include questions about the butter factory. 

Mr Jones encouraged residents to have their say on the building’s future.

“If people could have a look out for the survey, we’ll include some butter factory stuff in there just so the committee knows where the community wants to go,” he said.

“The big question people always ask is ‘what are we going to do in the butter factory?’ and as a committee, we wonder whether we’re going to manage the whole thing as our own group or will we rent the spaces out to other people? 

“Will we need to just employ a manager for it and grow it that way, or if there’s a commercial kitchen is it going to be cafe situation?

“If (the community) can get their ideas into the strategic plan that will help guide staff, volunteers, and (I) on what to do and give us a pathway forward.”

All works are supported by State and Federal Government grants, event fundraising, and community donations. 

Mr Jones was grateful for the contributions.

“Certainly, grant-wise we’ve been really lucky and successful,” he said. 

“The first one was Fund My Neighbourhood through the State Government, then the Murray Darling Basin Economic Development Plan funding, and Building Better Regions – they’ve all been really great getting us to this point. 

“We’ve had country music events, monthly markets, which are going to start again, and… we’ve still got those little milk jars people take home and put their change in, and bring them (to the centre). 

“Every little bit helps because some of the grant funding doesn’t cover the rates and electricity.”

The association anticipated works to be complete around this time next year.

Mr Jones said once finished, the factory will be a community asset.

“We’ll definitely be having the commercial kitchen in the cottage, and that’s in the plans now and ready to go once the building is ready for it,” he said. 

“(The association’s) main service now is the community centre and that will really flow over (to the factory), and we can use that space the same we do for programs.

“But we’ll also have other opportunities for social enterprise, where we can generate income that can support the community as well.”