Library, gallery and parking features of Civic Place plan

Tens of millions of dollars will be needed to create the vision of a thriving community precinct in Civic Place, Warragul as outlined in a draft masterplan.

A new library, arts gallery and theatre spaces, council chambers, offices and multi-storey car parking are all features of the draft plan presented to Baw Baw Shire.

Council is currently seeking community feedback on the staged precinct development to determine the community’s priorities and opinions of the proposal.

But councillors have made it clear the project could be years in the making and will be largely dependent on external funding.

Council’s long term infrastructure plan allocates $6 million to kick-start the staged development. It is expected this will be sourced from a combination of government funds and council borrowings.

However, two councillors indicated costs could be $50 million or even up to $100 million to complete all stages.

Mayor Danny Goss said it would be a staged development – “it’s not a $50 million that will be done straight up.”

The masterplan does not include preliminary costings. Community infrastructure director Cohen Van der Velde said once community consultation was completed, council would prepare cost estimates to guide council’s investment planning.

Council worked with consultants Hansen Partnership Pty Ltd to develop the draft masterplan based on initial consultation with the community and key stakeholder groups last year.

Highlights of the new precinct include:

A municipal library space;

Arts, gallery and additional theatre spaces;

Public toilets and amenities; Multi-purpose and community meeting spaces;

Council customer and visitor service and front of house;

Council chambers, committee rooms and public gallery;

Office accommodation; Improvements to integrate the Civic Precinct and Civic Park; and,

Tiered car parking with multiuse roof top.

The proposed new library would be located on the south east corner of the Albert St intersection.

The masterplan’s proposed staging of the project includes a new library and interim upgrade of Civic Place in the short term; followed by council chambers and office accommodation in stage two; a multi-storey car park and Civic Place redesign and overhaul in stage 3; and, additional theatre spaces and entry plaza in stage four.

Improving connectivity between the Civic Precinct and the town centre is a key priority to create a pedestrian focus “front door” to the precinct with an expanded West Gippsland Art Centre forecourt and potential for small food and beverage outlets.

Community consultation is expected to help refine how the development should be staged.

Cr Goss said the project was critical to Warragul and will have a long lasting presence in the centre of town.

Cr Goss said he would prefer to see the library stage completed first, followed by car parking and the forecourt with a council chamber not needed in the foreseeable future.

He said establishing the library in the Civic Precinct would save about $200,000 a year in rent and would double the size of the current library.

Cr Goss said community feedback was vital. “This precinct belongs to the entire community and we want to make sure that the views of residents across our shire are represented in this process.”

Cr Joe Gauci said he always received backlash when he said Warragul was the capital of the shire – “but one thing that cannot be denied is it is the commercial centre of the shire.”

“Civic Place needs to be integrated into the commercial precinct. This is an extension of the works that need to be done around the arts centre,” he said.

Cr Gauci said the consultants had come up with a vision. But, he said, a project like this could take 10 to 15 years to develop.

“The important part is how are we going to stage it and how are we going to fund it. If we have this (plan) in place and there is an opportunity for funds for example for a library, then we can justify the project,” he said.

Cr Michael Leaney said he saw the value of having great community assets for the entire shire.

“We want vibrant centres in our major centres and this certainly does that. Fundamentally it is good to have good community assets whether they are in Warragul or Drouin,” he said.

Cr Jazmin Tauru said she was “in awe of the opportunities” outlined in the draft masterplan.

She said the Civic Precinct had the potential to be a fantastic hub for individuals and families.

“Although it’s a long term project I am excited it’s happening. I think when we see each stage come to life our residents will love it,” she said.

Cr Darren Wallace said the draft master plan was a well thought out document but council was not loved in Spring St by the current state government which will make external funding opportunities difficult.

“This overall is a $100 million project so it could be 50 years before it’s built. Ultimately the masterplan will be a good document for the whole community to get behind and advocate for some money,” he said.

Cr Peter Kostos said the consultation period was an opportunity for East Ward residents who had been telling him council should stop spending money on the arts centre.

“If you have these thoughts then now is the time to speak up,” he said.