Designs released for new Hervey Bay library, council admin building
A new public plaza, library, council administration centre and community spaces are some key features of the game-changing development. Here’s a first look. PHOTOS, VIDEO:
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The plans for Hervey Bay’s future library and council administration centre have been revealed as part of a $100m project that will give the beachside community an impressive CBD.
A new public plaza, library, council administration centre and community spaces are some key features of the multimillion-dollar development.
Fraser Coast councillors endorsed the final concept designs at Wednesday’s council meeting at Toogoom, giving the green light for the plans to be released to the public.
The redevelopment, to be built on the corner of Main St and Torquay Rd, will include a larger Hervey Bay Library, and Council Administration Centre which incorporates a Disaster Resilience Centre.
According to a fact sheet released by the council, the new library will be the “major focus” of the development.
It will be twice the size of the old library to “help cater” to the region’s growing population now and for decades to come.
The new building will have five levels and 100 car parks, with the library extending over the ground floor and level one.
There will be multi-use community spaces on level two, with levels three and four dedicated to the council staff.
The project received $40 million in funding from the Hinkler Regional Deal.
According to a statement from the council, it will cost almost $100 million.
During Wednesday's council meeting at Toogoom, councillor Denis Chapman said the project would bring everyone together, particularly in the council building, so staff can “work collaboratively”.
“I feel this is a turning point for our community,” he said.
Mr Chapman highlighted the new library would be “the hub for libraries across the region”.
He also said in a statement, in developing the council admin centre and library, council wanted to “create a building that sets the benchmark for business, investors and developers”.
“The building design has the community at its core with an expanded library over two levels and flexible community spaces that could be used both day and night,” Mr Chapman said in a statement.
“A pedestrian link crosses through the site providing a new front door to the parklands in Pialba while a new public plaza will be created in Main Street and about 100 underground public car parks will be provided.”
While Mr Chapman said the “best day will be cutting the ribbon” for the project, he said on Wednesday he felt it was “sad” that “politics” got involved in the project.
The huge project has been subject to controversy, with Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders dubbing the development the “Taj Mahal”, and estimating the cost would blowout to roughly $140m.
Councillor Jade Wellings said on Wednesday it would “provide enormous benefits” for the community.
“I love the outdoor community plaza, and I can’t wait to see what happens there,” she said.
She also said in a statement that Hervey Bay’s library “was only half the size it should be to meet Australian and Queensland library standards”.
Ms Wellings said the new library and council admin centre would be a “community hub” to “support learning and innovation”.
“By improving the library’s floor space and design, we can build on our programs, cater for our growing population and help improve education outcomes in our region,” she said in a statement.
In the same statement, councillor David Lee said the five levels of the building would be “designed to sit above a one-in-500 year flood”, having a total functional area of about 9000sq m.
“This is about creating a social, economic and cultural heart in Hervey Bay,” he said.
Cottee Parker Architects and Bloc Design prepared the concept design report for council, with the overall project managed by Savills.
Construction of the Hervey Bay library and council administration centre is expected to start in 2023 and be finished by mid-2025.
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Originally published as Designs released for new Hervey Bay library, council admin building
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