At least 20 community groups use the hall and old church for activities including quilting, tai chi, acting, catch ups and movie screenings, with Fonterra managing bookings for the hall.

But following the closure of the dairy giant's factory, opposite the hall, Dennington Community Association president John Harris said the group was pushing for Warrnambool City Council or any future buyer to manage the hall.

"It is used every day and it is an integral part of the Dennington community," Mr Harris said. "We meet there on a monthly basis, and then on ANZAC Day we use it for a free breakfast before the march."

The community group wrote to the council in December to request a meeting but have not heard back.

"I don't think us as a group could take it on ourselves ... it would be too much for the community association," Mr Harris said.

"The council has to do a real due diligence about how much it is going to cost to run each year."

Council chief executive officer Peter Schneider said discussions were "ongoing" with Fonterra about the future of the hall.

A Fonterra spokeswoman said the future of the hall had been "considered as part of the (factory's) sale process".

"However we're not yet in position to confirm any future arrangements," she said.

Dennington resident David Kelson said Nesltes had bought the old church and hall about 20 years ago and the church building was more than 100 years old.

"If we take that away, we are taking away up to 400 people who use that hall for various things," Mr Kelson said. "It's not used continually but used every day of the week or evening."

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.