Plans revealed for $18 million library, community hub and Waite Street Reserve overhaul at Blackwood
MITCHAM Council has unveiled ambitious new plans for an $18 million library and community hub in the heart of Blackwood — as well as an major play area at Waite Street Reserve.
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MITCHAM Council could spend up to $18 million on a library and community hub in the heart of Blackwood — as well as an overhaul of Waite Street Reserve — under bold new plans.
The designs include a two-storey building with a rooftop garden on the corner of Main Rd and Young St to replace the existing Blackwood Community Centre and toy library.
It would also include a new library, currently 250m away on Main Rd.
The ground floor would include a cafe, the toy library and outdoor decking, while the first floor would house the library and multiple “multipurpose” rooms.
Waite Street Reserve would also be transformed into a major play area with rope climbs, nature and water play spaces, parkour and a story book trail.
A large, southwest facing stage would be built, as well as a second stage on the northern side of the reserve with “amphitheatre terraced lawns”.
The plan had not been “costed in detail”, however, council staff estimated it could cost between $13 million and $18 million.
Mitcham did not have any funding for the project, but would use the designs to lobby for State and Federal grants.
The development would tie into the council’s plan for a mini mall in the adjacent shopping centre, including eight shops behind the existing Foodland supermarket, with a pathway through to Young St.
Property developer Max De Rosa has also lodged plans to build a two-storey shopping block opposite the planned community hub.
Councillor Jane Bange told last week’s council meeting that Mitcham had to “take a risk” in redeveloping the heart of Blackwood.
“I’m pleased there’s action actually happening on this issue and I know the community are really appreciative of that, too,” Cr Bange said.
She said the plan was a “crucial” part of reviving Blackwood.
Cr Lindy Taeuber said the project was about securing investment in Blackwood.
She also believed it was important to upgrade Waite Street Reserve.
“We know it was this very community that agitated, protested in the street to actually make Waite Street Reserve the reserve it is today,” Cr Taeuber said.
“Coles was planning to use that whole district for shopping and it’s our residents who actually agitated to save that.”
Mitcham Council last month released a plan for the future of Blackwood, including provisions for multistorey buildings with retail tenancies at ground level and housing above.
Under the plan, described by the council as a “major project”, the western side of Main Rd would be designated for mixed-use development and the eastern side for retail and commercial options.
The length of Waite St opposite Waite Street Reserve was also marked for “mixed-use” development, although the plan did not specify what that might entail.
The community hub designs will now go to community consultation.