Vote on exterior façade options for new Highfields library and community facility

The community is invited to vote from today (October 14) on the exterior façade options for a new library and community facility that is planned at Highfields.

Toowoomba Regional Council Environment and Community Services Committee chair Cr Geoff McDonald said the new facility would replace the existing temporary library which supports around 52,600 visitors each year.

“The current Highfields library is a demountable structure and does not have the space or facilities required to accommodate the growing number of library users in Highfields and its surrounding communities,” Cr McDonald said.

“The new facility will be a modern, purpose-built library, customer service centre and community meeting facility to meet the current and future needs of the Highfields community.

“It will provide a secure outdoor area for children’s activities, dedicated reading spaces including an outdoor reading area facing the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, computer facilities and free wi-fi access.

“The project also includes upgrading the road network and car parking infrastructure in the vicinity.”

Cr McDonald said the facility would be located north of O’Brien Road in the Highfields Cultural Precinct.

“The location will offer safe pedestrian connections between community facilities in the precinct, including the Highfields Cultural Centre and Highfields Fitness and Recreation Centre,” he said.

“The facility will also be adjacent to the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve providing an opportunity to embrace the unique natural setting through outdoor reading areas.”

“Residents can choose between two exterior façade design options. Please view the options online via https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/highfields-library or in hard copy at the Highfields Library, Sean McCarthy Way from Monday, 14 October 2019.

“Residents also can view the options by attending an information session on Monday, 21 October from 6-7pm at the Highfields Cultural Centre, Sean McCarthy Way. Register for this session online via https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/highfields-library or by calling 131 872.

“The project team will be at the Highfields Library on Friday, 18 October from 10am-noon and Saturday, 26 October from 9-11am to discuss the options and answer questions.

“You can vote for your favourite option by completing an online voting form via https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/highfields-library or complete a hard copy voting form at the current Highfields Library in Sean McCarthy Way.

“Voting opens at 9am on Monday, 14 October and closes at 5pm on Friday, 1 November 2019.

“Voting results will be available online via https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/highfields-library and at the Highfields Library from late 2019.”

Cr McDonald said Council was establishing a Public Art Reference Group (PARG) to guide the development and implementation of public art for the facility.

“The PARG will be comprised of up to 10 representatives from arts and cultural organisations, the local Highfields community and Council,” he said.

“If you are a practising professional artist or you represent an arts or cultural organisation and you reside in the Highfields community, please express your interest in joining the PARG online via https://yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/highfields-library or by calling 131 872. Expressions of interest close on Friday, 1 November 2019.

“This is an exciting project for the Highfields area and I encourage everyone to get involved.”

Construction is expected to start in early 2020 and the new facility is expected to open in 2021.

For more information on the Highfields Library project, please visit yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/highfields-library, call Council on 131 872 and quote Highfields Library Project or email [email protected] 

Click to enlarge images. Option 1 top, Option two, bottom.