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New Library takes another step closer to fruition
The new town library for Armidale Dumaresq is about to take one step closer with a selection committee formed to choose the community consultant responsible for taking the development through the next phase.
Chairperson of the Library Building Working Party, Cr Jim Maher said 11 organisations and individuals had responded to the Council’s call for expressions of interest for a consultant to prepare a community consultation program.
“A selection committee has been formed to choose the best candidate to undertake the task of planning the public consultation phase, which is a very necessary stage in the process,” Cr Maher said.
Cr Maher said a good deal of consultation had already been undertaken to reach this stage but that the net would be extended to include the broader community.
Organisations that had been involved to date include the Friends of the Library, the RSL, Library staff, State and Federal Government representatives Richard Torbay and Tony Windsor, the Library Building Working Party and the Armidale Dumaresq Council which had approved the project in principle and appointed Wilson Architects of Brisbane after an exhaustive selection process involving expressions of interest from 18 architects.
“The Council has to date allocated approximately $320,000 towards the process of developing a much-needed new Library,” Cr Maher said. “Conceptual design plans have been on public exhibition in the Library and at the Council Administration Building and have received very favourable comments.”
Cr Maher said a good deal of support had also been expressed through a petition presented by the Friends of the Library. Members of the RSL were also fully supportive of the concept of a new War Memorial Library which would enable present and future generations to honour servicemen and women who had sacrificed so much for their country.
“The Council is also preparing a business case for the new Library to be put to the community and to the Minister for Local government,” Cr Maher said. “It is essential that the Council has a realistic price tag to propose to the community and the Minister for Local Government.
“It is also extremely necessary to show how the project can be funded. In order to reach this point, a good deal of planning and detailed costing is necessary.”
The business plan will allow for a rate increase, tax – deductible donations and sponsorship of sections of the Library along with an application for a grant from the State Government.
Cr Maher said many towns on the Northern Tablelands had invested in a new public library in recent years, except Armidale, which was the centre of education in regional Australia. He said that a new library would address a range of issues including improving equity and access to educational resources, meeting the needs of the entire population and adding to the attractiveness of Armidale as a place to live.
For further information contact Cr Jim Maher, Chairperson of the Library Building Working Party, on 0408 413044.
Contact details
Cr Jim Maher
Tel: 0408 413 044
council@armidale.nsw.gov.au
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