Gosford Regional Library: Council to forge ahead with stand alone project
It’s taken 30 years, multiple plans and hours of discussion and now council has been forced to change its plans again to avoid losing federal funding. Here’s the latest.
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Ongoing delays and the potential loss of funding has prompted Central Coast Council to proceed with a stand alone project for the long awaited Gosford Regional Library.
At last night’s meeting, councillors voted to forge ahead with a library project, which will now be separated from the Gosford Cultural Precinct plans.
This precinct plan, which the Express revealed included a $171 million tower plan to house the regional arts centre, had been under a cloud of secrecy with council stating it would not go public with details until acquisition of land is finalised.
The decision to proceed with the library, discussed in confidential session, will help council secure a $7 million federal government grant which came with a condition that work would be completed by 2020.
It’s been a 30 year journey for the highly anticipated library, and Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews said a region like the coast needed a major regional library.
“Our community has waited a considerable amount of time for this project and tonight we made a financially responsible decision that means we are getting on with the job of delivering the Gosford Regional Library,” she said.
“Items within the business case for the Gosford Cultural Precinct need further review and this process should not delay our regional library.
Council is expected to consider a timeline, designs and a preferred location for the library at a meeting in December.
In 2018, council exhibited two concept designs for the library including a three storey and 10 storey option. Councillors were divided on the issue and ended up voting for the three storey library with mezzanine and two levels of basement parking at 123A Donnison St, Gosford.
However these plans failed to get off the ground with plans for the tower taking over.
It is unclear whether the council will go back to the 2018 plans or start the process again.
“This library will be a dynamic space for learning and innovation and a vibrant meeting point for our community to connect,” Cr Matthews said.
“Delivering a regional library for the Central Coast is an important step towards meeting the ongoing social, recreational, educational, technological and business development needs of our community.