There’s still time for foreshore design input

“Downstairs will be the splash park toilets and changing rooms,” he said.

Cr Claridge said it had a similar design concept to Benalla Library, whereby the bottom section, which was prone to flooding, could simply be mopped out and easily cleaned after a flooding event.

“And we haven’t decided if it will just be the cement blocks, or if there will be a waterproof membrane that could be painted,” he said.

“But those types of details haven't been sorted out yet and the community will have input into those decisions.

“I think people will enjoy the (complex) when it’s completed, with the comfortable leather seating in the cinema, for example.

“And the cafe will allow people to go to the splash park and have a bite to eat before heading home.

“The cinema will also be available for things like seminars, and council presentations, for example.

“And in the summer we might be able to put on free movies for the kids every now and again.”

Questions put to the council at the meeting included:

What is the environmental rating of the proposed building?

Is there a business plan for the proposal?

What is council’s understanding of community engagement?

When will the project go out to tender?

To summarise, the build goes over and above legal environmental ratings.

Council chief executive officer Dom Testoni confirmed there was a business plan, which would be elaborated on at the council’s meeting tonight (Wednesday, September 1).

Mr Testoni also went into details on the various methods of community engagement used by council regarding this project.

He also confirmed the project would go out to tender in September.

To read Mr Testoni’s full response to questions asked at Wednesday’s council meeting there is an extended version of this article at www.benallaensign.com.au