Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Bass Coast Local News

Wonthaggi Library Expansion

Wonthaggi’s library facility will be relocated to a much larger building to meet the growing needs of its users.

By Bass Coast - 26th June 2012 - Back to News

"This is one of the key initiatives in our new budget and it will provide a wonderful facility for our community.

"The new library area will cover approximately 1,100 square metres of the store, almost four times the size of the current site of approximately 200 square metres.

"We will take possession of the site in March 2013 and will use most of the $240,297 allocated in the 2012/13 budget to start fit out works early next year."

Cr Dowman confirmed that Council will seek government funding for further required fit out, and plans an opening of the new library by mid 2013. The current library facility, located in the former Wonthaggi Post Office building, will be retained for Council use once the library relocates. Nola Thorpe, a member of the Community Advisory Council for the West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation said she was extremely happy about the relocation.

"This is the first time in a100 years that Council has looked positively toward increasing library facilities.

"Libraries are changing and Council’s vision for a principal library equipped with modern facilities is vital for Wonthaggi and the region.

"This move to a new site is a great step toward providing increased space for more library programs and resources, which the community needs now," said Ms Thorpe.

Cr Gareth Barlow, Chair of the West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation, said relocating the facility to the centre of the commercial area provides better access for library users.

"The extra space will mean an increased area for programs, book stock and other associated activities, and a greatly enhanced service for the community and our visitors.

"The new facility will provide up-to-date technology, study areas and most importantly, space to allow the expansion of programs such as the Baby Rhyme Time which are currently at capacity," said Cr Barlow.

"Library user statistics indicate that Wonthaggi Library has experienced a 49 per cent increase in visits, and a 46 per cent increase in loans, since 2006.

"Membership has grown by nine per cent in the same period.

"In recent years the present facility has not been able to accommodate the full range of contemporary public library services and activities," Cr Barlow said.

The development of a larger Bass Coast Principal Library is still included in Council’s planned Cultural Precinct development. Progress of this project will depend on securing the Wonthaggi Secondary College McBride Street campus site, after they relocate to a new school.

"Due to uncertainty about when this will happen, Council resolved to redevelop the Wonthaggi library facilities to meet needs for at least the next seven years," continued Cr Barlow.

"If library usage grows in line with population projections, visits at a Principal Library in Wonthaggi would exceed 71,000 by 2021 and loans could exceed 102,000 per year."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Have Your Say on Wonthaggi structure plan review aiming to guide growth, community needs and opportunities
  Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing the Wonthaggi Structure Plan. Have your say on the town's growth, housing, jobs, heritage, and future opportunities to help shape Wonthaggi as Bass Coast regional hub.