Elmhurst Hotel Reopens With Council Façade Support

Ararat Rural City Council is pleased to welcome the reopening of the Elmhurst Hotel, with the local venue now open and trading.

Council is proud to have supported improvements to the hotel through its Façade Improvement Grant Program, contributing towards a fresh exterior paint job. The project has helped give the building a renewed street presence while retaining an important local gathering place for the Elmhurst community.

For small towns, a local pub is more than somewhere to share a meal or catch up for a drink. It is a place where people meet, visitors are welcomed, local stories are shared, and community connections are strengthened.

Ararat Rural City Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison said the reopening was positive news for Elmhurst and the wider district. “Small communities need places where people can come together, and the Elmhurst Hotel has long been an important part of life in the town,” Dr Harrison said. “Council is pleased to have supported the refurbishment of the hotel’s exterior through a Façade Grant, helping the building present well and contributing to the appeal of the township.

“Backing local businesses is one practical way Council can support our smaller communities. When a venue such as the Elmhurst Hotel is open and trading, it provides a place for residents to connect, brings visitors into town, and helps build confidence in the local economy.

“I wish the team at the Elmhurst Hotel every success as they begin this new chapter. I hope local residents, surrounding communities, and visitors get behind the venue and make the most of what it has to offer.”

Council’s Façade Improvement Grant Program supports eligible local businesses and property owners to improve the appearance of commercial buildings, strengthen township streetscapes, and encourage investment in local centres.