Support for new library remains strong

Council received a generally positive response to its plan to construct a new library during a recent open day at the Civic Centre.

Around 100 people attended the engagement session on Monday to view early concept plans and speak with Councillors, Council staff, and the project's architects, Neeson Murcutt (NMA).

Council's General Manager, James Roncon, said he hoped the session had provided new insight into the project.

"It was a great session, and we got an excellent response from the community which I think the staff and Councillors really appreciated," he said.

"Support for the new library and surrounding cultural precinct remains very strong, and people were particularly keen to ensure the Outback Archives are incorporated in any new library facility.

"The only aspect of the project that some locals expressed concern about was the prospect of Council swapping the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) for the Police station and offering visitor information services from the new library."

Under the 'site swap' proposal the Police would gain the VIC site to build their new station, and Council would receive the current Police site.

Council would retain the heritage buildings on the Police site, clear the remaining structures to provide parking, and provide visitor information services from the planned new library as presented in the draft Cultural Framework Plan developed by NMA.

Council has been engaging with the community over the last few weeks regarding the proposal, with support for the idea fluctuating.

"It's been an interesting journey. When we first floated the idea of the site swap there was a lot of initial enthusiasm and positivity, and that was reflected in our early survey results," he said.

"However in the last week it's become a bit of an emotional issue, with a lot of concern focusing on the coffee shop within the VIC, rather than the visitor information service itself."

Mr Roncon said it was important to remember that the site swap is just one idea that has been put forward through the project’s draft Cultural Framework following early engagement by NMA with community representatives, staff, and Councillors.

"Everyone has their own interests and ideas on the city's future, and that's why we put the site swap idea and the broader draft Cultural Framework around this project out for community feedback," he said.

"I do have concerns that one key issue is being overlooked in public discourse around this project however, and that is the viability of Argent Street, which has been in decline for the past 15 years.

"Parts of Argent Street are arguably on life support, with more vacant shops appearing as businesses either relocate or simply close their doors.

"The survival of Argent Street remains a fundamental driver of this project, so it's important that we don't get too caught up in the emotion around the VIC and lose sight of the bigger picture, which is delivering a quality new facility that will provide a better experience for community members, and assist our struggling CBD.

"It's also important to remember that no decisions have been made regarding a swap of sites - that will ultimately be a decision for the Council following the engagement and consultation process.

“All we can do is open the matter up for public discussion and pass the feedback on to the city's elected representatives for consideration."

Council staff are currently collating the feedback received during the recent engagement process, with results to be forwarded to the project architects, and also included in a report to this month's Council meeting.