Henley Beach Town Hall set for multi million dollar revamp

After years of back and forth with its residents over the what the community really needs, a seaside council has finally locked in plans for a $9m inclusive space.

A seaside community will soon welcome a brand new $9m library and community hub after years of toying back and forth with it’s residents.

The City of Charles Sturt has recently tabled plans to reinvigorate the Henley Beach Town Hall and creating a new destination for those in Adelaide’s west.

City of Charles Sturt have endorsed plans that would see a reinvigorated $9m library and community hub in their neighbourhood.

“The new build will bring Henley Library and the Henley and Grange Community Centre into one central community destination, Ngutungka Henley,” said Acting CEO City of Charles Sturt Acting CEO Adrian RalphAdrian Ralph said.

“Ngutungka is Kaurna for ‘Place of Knowledge’ which not only acknowledges our Kaurna heritage but also helps set the scene for a place to connect and be inspired.”

For years the council has long considered the future of the Henley Library and the Henley and Grange Community Centre to ensure the facilities are contemporary and accessible to all. These considerations have led to varying options being considered by the community, the most

recent being in 2017 as the preferred site for any long term redevelopment.

Residents fought hard to scrap the original ‘boutique’ plans that would see the asset downsized at a new location.

Concept image of The Henley Library and Town Hall site, 378 Seaview Road, Henley Beach

In 2020 it was discovered that the trusses within the existing library had failed and

needed replacing. Due to public risk, the library closed with its functions relocated to the

Henley Town Hall.

In the June council agenda, it states that the change and the need to reinvest in a facility which was not functional, as it had been extended and adapted over time, raised the question once more whether the existing facilities at Henley were fit for purpose for both current and

future users.

A spokesman for the Western Adelaide Coastal Residents Association said residents were excited and happy to welcome this concept.

“Residents are hungry for this development, as we watch this now locked-up facility languishing, unable to be used,” they said.

“WACRA backs this plan which has grown out of extensive consultations with school and community groups.

“Over 1,000 people looked at the proposal on YourSay with very few comments for changes.”

Construction will commence in mid-late 2023 and will be completed in late 2024.