A group of Victorian residents had bold visions for a decommissioned youth justice centre in their town, but their dreams have been dashed by news that the facility will reopen.

A reconciliation museum, art studios, education and training, co-working spaces, sustainable practices and research were among the concepts proposed by the Community Working Group for Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre.

But on Tuesday the bubble burst when the Victorian government announced it would reopen the centre in April next year, two years after it was closed.

"It feels like you've been slapped in the face," working group convenor Elise Zouck said.

"[The governments] at the state and federal level led us to believe our ideas mattered."

Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan said the decision to reopen came am

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