A NUMBER of potential sites are under consideration for Helensburgh’s new community centre and library with Wollongong City Council hoping to share the details in the near future.
In the meantime, Council is inviting the community to submit feedback on its vision for the centre via the Our Wollongong website.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said Council is checking back with the Helensburgh community to make sure previous feedback about library and community centre still holds true, or whether the combined facility sparks new ideas.
“Finding the most suitable location is important. We need to take into consideration the many future uses of the library and community centre such as events, functions and activities as well as its possible use in emergency situations,” Cr Bradbery said.
“Getting the location right is about ensuring we pick a site that allows for ease of access, public safety and functional use.
“In our previous engagement activities, Helensburgh residents have told us what they think is important for a new library and a new community centre.
“With our scope re-focussing on an integrated community centre and library, we want to know if we’ve missed anything or if you have any additional thoughts that should be included in the vision for this combined facility. Your feedback is important as it will help inform the development of a concept design, which will be created once a location for the building has been confirmed.”
So far, the Helensburgh community would like to see:
- An integrated space that’s welcoming, friendly and located within the Helensburgh Town Centre
- A building with lots of natural light
- Eco-friendly design that incorporates the distinctive Helensburgh landscape
- Lounges, comfortable seating and quiet spaces for relaxation and reading
- Better access to internet services and technology such as printers and computers
- A design that focuses on accessibility, including access to parking and extended opening hours
- Diverse spaces for different types of activities and events such as book clubs, music performances, arts and craft workshops, poetry readings and community meeting spaces.
“Major projects, like this one, take time and it’s important that we have an ongoing dialogue with our community so we can ensure that the finished product meets the needs of those who will one day use it,” Cr Bradbery said.
“This month we’re holding online information sessions for community members who are interested in this project, to provide opportunities for people to ask Council staff questions and provide additional feedback.
“This won’t be the only chance to give feedback on the Helensburgh Community Centre and Library. There will be further opportunities for residents to get involved throughout the course of the project. For now, I encourage everyone to use this opportunity to have a say and share your thoughts.”
The next online information session will be held on Saturday, July 24, from 10am to 11am. Register for this session by visiting the Our Wollongong website.
Feedback for this stage of the project closes Monday, August 9, 2021.
You can share your thoughts on the Helensburgh Community Centre and Library by visiting the Our Wollongong website and completing the online survey, or by emailing engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au or calling Customer Service on (02) 4227 7111.
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