Knox Council floats idea of Bayswater library next to train station
A NOVEL idea to turn an empty block of land into a new library could mark the beginning of a new chapter more than 100 years after the plan was first floated.
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MORE than 100 years after the idea was first floated Bayswater looks set to finally get a permanent library.
At a recent meeting Knox councillors ticked off on a plan for the council to buy a parcel of VicRoads land at 750 Mountain Highway, next to Bayswater train station.
The future of the site will be restricted to municipal/community use.
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The site was formerly a Budget Rent-A-Car, before the land was compulsorily acquired as part of the $177 million project to remove the crossings on Mountain Highway and Scoresby Rd.
The push for a permanent library in Bayswater dates back to 1901.
The current library is based in Mountain High Shopping Centre.
Cr Adam Gill reignited the idea last year and said the site would be a great location for the library.
Cr Gill said the library would help support a number of new schools and early learning centres in the area.
He said he hoped the library would include a playground and a cafe to encourage young families to make regular trips to the learning area.
Cr Gill told Knox Leader last year the site was large enough to accommodate a building up to four storeys.
“I think that’s a better outcome than a developer potentially securing the site and doing some sort of high-rise there,” Cr Gill said.
While no timeline or cost has formally been set, the building is expected to cost up to $10 million.
VicRoads commercial enterprises director Adrian Tofful said it understood Knox Council was interested in purchasing the land.
“We are willing to work with the council but at this stage the sale has not been finalised,” he said.
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