The Kyneton and District Town Square Co-Op was formed in 2019 to advocate for a community-developed vision to create a publicly-owned town centre in the heart of Kyneton.
Since then, the Co-Op has matured and expanded the scope of it activities.
We foster community efforts to protect local land and waterways, improve urban design, and develop a healthy, warm, resident-friendly town.
The board is comprised of seven members who either live in the area or have a very strong connection with Kyneton and it’s surrounds. The board members bring a wide range of expertise to Co-Op management including event management, administration, stone heritage building preservation, the arts, economics, and business.
We are a welcoming organisation. If you have skills that you would like to contribute, or you are interested in starting a working group, please contact us.
Why does Kyneton need a Co-Op?
Elected local government plays a vital role in delivering services and town planning but it is increasingly overridden by other levels of government and VCAT. A locally run Co-Op can act quickly taking a more dynamic and pro-active role in areas where a town council is constrained by funding and its mandate. Administered as a social enterprise, the benefits can grow over time, benefitting both members and the wider community. Importantly its mandate is to act in the interests of town residents to either complement or temper government and business initiatives.
A town co-operative is run by and immediately answerable to its members.
A social enterprise is a mission-driven business that trades to solve social, environmental, or cultural problems, prioritising purpose over profit. It creates an opportunity for people to help with social cohesion, to create employment, to nurture the town’s small businesses and creative residents.
This type of enterprise is increasingly necessary as a counterbalance as we are increasingly challenged by economic headwinds.
Current Board Members
Peter Henderson (Chair)
Huntly Barton (Treasurer)
Tilly Nuttall (Secretary)
Berenice Snowden (Membership)
Mary Hogarth
Karan Hayman
Loree Murphy