$15m vision for library
A new state of the art library is part of a $15 million vision to kickstart a civic precinct redevelopment in Warragul.
A library and art gallery and theatre spaces, council chambers, offices and car parking are all features of the Civic Precinct Masterplan adopted by Baw Baw Shire last week.
While costings on each stage of the masterplan have not been undertaken, the first stage, incorporating a new library and learning space, is expected to cost $15.1 million.
The project is currently listed in council’s draft long term infrastructure plan for delivery in 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years.
It is expected the project will be largely funded by state and federal funds and $5 million in council borrowings.
It is proposed the library will be located east of Civic Park with Albert St frontage on an old house site.
A 2000 square metre, multi-level library is proposed with café, gallery, working space and toilets. A “refresh” of Civic Place to enable the area to better host community events such as markets, also is included in stage one. Stage two of the masterplan is a tiered car park and plaza entry while stage three will be additional theatre spaces followed by civic accommodation and facilities in stage four.
Cr Joe Gauci said the short-term vision identified the need for a new library and car parking.
“We are showing the community that we are serious about this and we want it to be a focal point of our central business district.
“We now have to do the planning to get the money,” he said. Cr Gauci said if the external funding was not forthcoming, the development would not proceed.
From p1
Cr Danny Goss said council was not voting for a new library, but for a masterplan.
“It’s a set of ideas of what might happen. This is not a vote for a library,” he said.
Cr Goss said there was no economic case for the project because costings had not been done – “the plans might come in at $25 million and then it won’t happen.”
Cr Goss said he didn’t agree with the proposed staging and he would never vote for a new council chamber.
“But we have to plan for the area and then it’s up to the council of the time to decide what project comes next,” he said.
Cr Darren Wallace said it was a bold plan – “possibly a very expensive plan but it’s a master plan that starts the conversation.”
“This gives a general direction for council to head.
With $10 million needed from state and federal funding, plus council borrowings, he said there were a few “ducks that have to line up before the project is delivered.”
Cr Annemarie McCabe said a vibrant library space would draw people to the precinct which was all about bringing people together.
“There is a fantastic opportunity for Baw Baw Shire to develop this space for arty people in our community who are often the poor cousin to sport. “Obviously it will cost a lot of money but ratepayers are not footing the entire bill,” she said.
Cr Ben Lucas said it was a great project and council had to put in the planning work to make the project shovel ready to attract funding.
“We need to be a leader in this space,” he said.
Cr Michael Leaney said it was important council aimed high for the project and delivered the best it could for the entire community.
He said Warragul was the biggest town in the shire so it made sense for the development to be in Warragul.
“We need not just a good library, we need a fabulous library,” he said.
Cr Tricia Jones was the only councillor to oppose the project, saying it will be “the cause of regret in the future.”
She said it would create a financial burden for ratepayers and no business case had been done.
Cr Jones said the development also would impact already impeded traffic flows around the CBD and the look of the park.