The town's former Wesleyan Church holds a community centre, but has not been open for a number of years. The building dates from the 1850s.

Chewton residents say the church is one of the few bigger community spaces the town has on offer.

But council staff have cited high costs to fix structural problems and termite damages, forcing them to weigh up what they could deliver for the community.

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Councillors voted in December to note a resolution to sell the building in 2017, and re-open the matter to public submissions.

Chewton Domain Society president Helen McGeachin said existing community spaces such as the town hall, the George Archer Pavilion and the old Sunday school did not hold many people.

The society manages a number of historic buildings in Chewton.

Ms McGeachin said Castlemaine seemed to think Chewton could use its facilities, but the town was a very separate community.

She said she would like to see the church kept as a community facility, with work done to make it safe.

"Chewton very much its own community, even though we're very close to Castlemaine," Ms McGeachin said.

"We have a real sense of community in Chewton, of it being its own little town even though we butt onto Castlemaine."

Mount Alexander Shire Council Manager Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Cath Olive said council resolved to sell the building in 2017 because it had problems that would cost a lot of money to fix. These included severe termite damage, unsound brickwork and rising damp.

In 2017 this cost was estimated as $500-600,000.

Ms Olive said the council felt there were enough community facilities in and around Chewton.

Mount Alexander Shire Council voted in 2017 to sell the building and begin the process of sub-dividing associated land, citing a poor state of repair.

Ms Olive said council had spent the intervening two years getting subdivisions on the site approved.

Community members have been invited to make a submission on the sale, due to the two year gap.

Ms Olive said council was keen to hear from the community about the sale.

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