Library design tender opens

on the new Highfields Library won’t start before next year, according to the Toowoomba Regional Council.

The council issued an open tender this week to find a consultant to design the library, which will sit on the intersection of Balmoral St and O’Brien Rd.

Cr Joe Ramia said architectural designs would be ready by the end of the year, in time for a construction start of early 2019.

“Toowoomba Regional Council this week released a tender for Principal Design Consultant for the Highfields Library Project,” he said.

“The value of the tender will be determined once a contract is signed with the successful bidder for these services.

“Design for the new facility will include an opportunity for the community to help shape the design, with the council set to release three exterior concepts for community review and selection.

“The new facility (is) expected to open in 2020.”

The position of the library was a point of some controversy in February, when Cr Bill Cahill made a failed bid to make it part of the upcoming Central Highfields Master Plan.

The motion sparked a massive debate in the council chambers.

But Cr Ramia said the cur rent position offered good connection to other community assets.

“This site offers good pedestrian connections to the Highfields Cultural Centre and Highfields Fitness and Recreation Centre,” he said.

“In addition the site is located near a nature reserve, offering great opportunity for the architect of the new library to respond to this bushland setting including outdoor reading areas.”

Specifications for the new library included at least 1000sq m of space, disability access, outdoor areas for children, dedicated reading areas, library program rooms and community meeting space.

The council tender for the library design closes on April 24.