Culture and civic combine in precinct
The Civic Precinct Masterplan adopted by Baw Baw Shire last week has identified “considerable opportunity” to develop a new purpose built library for the town.
The masterplan states the current library is undersized for its catchment and a new library has the potential to complement a community space.
The masterplan seeks to foster learning, collaboration and creativity within the precinct with a new library at the corner of Albert St and Civic Place being a key entry to the precinct.
“The new library will be designed to a contemporary standard comprising library, gallery, multi-purpose meeting rooms, co-working space and complementary public realm upgrade,” the plan states.
A vision set out in the masterplan states the civic precinct could be a space where “community, culture, civic and recreation are celebrated.”
“It will sit proudly in the streetscapes along Albert and Smith Sts, visually and physically connected to the cbd.
“Future community and civic activities will spill out onto Civic Place, a high amenity pedestrian environment as the connecting thread across the precinct,” the masterplan states.
The key areas identified in the masterplan are the new library, civic building, tiered car park and civic forecourt expansion.
The masterplan stated the existing old council offices are “no longer fit for purpose.”
It is proposed to replace the old council offices with either a new purpose built structure or undertake a comprehensive renovation that will incorporate civic functions, office accommodation and flexible meeting spaces.
It is proposed a council information centre or customer service desk would be integrated into the annexe building, currently leased to Community College Gippsland.
A new tiered deck car parking space in the northern corner of the site would include access from Smith St and has the potential for creating a rooftop community space.
The new car park has the potential to create up to 290 car spaces.
The masterplan’s proposed staging of the project includes a new library and interim upgrade of Civic Place in the short term; followed by a multistorey car park in stage two; additional theatre spaces and entry plaza in stage three; and civic accommodation and civic place overhaul 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.