THE Fraser Coast Regional Council has released a video detailing how the new Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre could be fitted out.
IMAGE: Supplied.
Council endorsed the concept design report for the new facility today.
The building will be situated at the corner of Main Street and Torquay Road in Pialba – and will include underground car parks.
A statement released by Council following today’s meeting said the community would be at the core of the new development in the Hervey Bay City Centre. It will feature a new public plaza, a larger library over two levels, and flexible spaces that be booked for meetings and community events.
A Disaster Resilience Centre will also be incorporated into the project.
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The concept design report includes artist’s impressions of the new building and public plaza, outlines the strategy behind the design and details how the library and office spaces could be fitted out.
Division 8 Councillor Denis Chapman said Council was partnering with the Australian Government through the Hinkler Regional Deal to deliver the project.
Cr Chapman said the new Council building would be the backbone of the Hervey Bay City Centre revitalisation.
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“In developing a new Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre, we want to create a building that sets the benchmark for business, investors and developers,” Cr Chapman said.
“The building design has the community at its core with an expanded library over two levels and flexible community spaces that could be used both day and night.
“A pedestrian link crosses through the site providing a new front door to the parklands in Pialba while a new public plaza will be created in Main Street and about 100 underground public car parks will be provided.
“More than three quarters of the development will be community space.”
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Division 5 Councillor Jade Wellings said the current Hervey Bay Library had about 225,000 visitations a year and was only half the size it should be to meet Australian and Queensland library standards.
“The new Library and Council Administration Centre will be a community hub – a place to support learning and innovation, and a place where the community can come together to socialise and benefit from centralized Council services,” Cr Wellings said.
“By improving the library’s floor space and design, we can build on our programs, cater for our growing population and help improve education outcomes in our region.”
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Division 9’s David Lee said the building would have a total functional area of about 9,000 square metres over five levels and would be designed to sit above a one in 500 year flood.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to reshape our city centre in Hervey Bay, to create jobs and to drive economic growth and investment. This will bring hundreds of workers into the Hervey Bay City Centre, which will provide a huge boost to nearby businesses,” Cr Lee said.
“This is about creating a social, economic and cultural heart in Hervey Bay.
“We encourage anyone interested in finding out more about this project to visit Council’s Engagement Hub website.”
The Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre (incorporating a Disaster Resilience Centre) is a commitment under the Hinkler Regional Deal.
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The project is funded through a combination of Australian Government funding ($40-million), Council’s general revenue, land sales and borrowings, and is estimated to cost almost $100-million.
More details about the project, including a copy of the concept design report, is available here.
The concept design report was prepared for Council by Cottee Parker Architects and Bloc Design, with the overall project being managed by Savills.
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