By Jeremy Sollars
Future options for the re-location of the Stanthorpe Library will be discussed by Southern Downs councillors at their July general meeting in Stanthorpe next Wednesday 25 July.
The council commissioned consultants Complete Urban in March to undertake a study on the Library, which needs to move to allow for a planned expansion of the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, currently sharing space with the Library in Weeroona Park.
Complete Urban came up with a range of options, two of which involve re-locating existing areas within the Stanthorpe Civic Centre opposite Weeroona Park to accommodate the Library.
Other options are the construction of a new library building adjoining the Civic Centre or expansion of the existing building in the park.
The cost estimates are as follows –
• New single-storey library in Civic Centre – re-locate Supper Room to Exhibition Space – $2,024,852
• New two-storey library, Civic Centre Exhibition Space (re-locate Bar to Supper Room) – $2,765,042
• Build new single-storey library adjoining Civic Centre – $1,806,000
• Expand existing library in Weeroona Park – $1,625,060
Councillors are not expected to make a final decision at next week’s meeting, with officers recommending a public consultation exercise be carried out to gauge community views on the four options.
Stanthorpe locals earlier this year expressed concern at what they said was a lack of consultation by the council over the future of their Library.
Many have pointed out that the original library was inside the Civic Centre and that the current library was “purpose-built” in Weeroona Park in the late 1980s to improve public access.
Some on social media have expressed concern about access to the Civic Centre for the elderly and the disabled and parking.
It has also been rumoured that the move is part of a longer-term council plan to shut down the Stanthorpe council chambers in the Civic Centre and move all of its administration functions in the town to its Warwick headquarters.
It is understood the council also has concerns about backpackers causing congestion in and around the existing Library when accessing its free Wi-Fi facilities.
To view the Complete Urban report in full go to www.sdrc.qld.gov.au and click on the ‘Council’ and ‘Council Meetings’ tabs to bring up the July meeting agenda.
