Library proposed for city’s north

A TWENTY-three-million-dollar Library and Learning Centre has been proposed by the City of Ballarat for Wendouree’s Weeramar Park.

Alongside traditional and digital library services, the City’s aim for the building is to provide community study, activity and relaxation spaces, life skills and literacy programs, Parent Place services, a cafe, and free internet.

It is expected that the centre would cater to more than 40,000 people in the municipality’s north, and City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney said the centre isn’t just needed, it’s overdue.

“As the city will grow more to the north over the next several years following rezoning of the northern growth corridor, future residents will need easy access to library and community services this new centre will provide,” he said.

“A new Wendouree Library and Learning Centre will become a gathering place and learning space for residents of all ages.”

City of Ballarat director of community wellbeing Matthew Wilson said the centre comes under the Community Infrastructure Plan 2022-2037 which was adopted in winter.

“A new library and learning centre will allow us to offer new literacy, wellbeing and complementary learning programs in a safe, easily accessible space,” Mr Wilson said.

“We’ll also be able to increase the number of family-specific programs like Storytime, Little Languages and Baby Bounce.”

Cr Moloney said municipal staff are lobbying the Federal and State governments for funding support to make the build a reality as soon as possible.

“A project of this size and importance is best delivered with funding from all three levels of government.

“A partnership of that kind would mean construction could begin before the end of the decade to help meet the rapidly growing demand in the area and relieve pressure on the existing Wendouree Library,” he said.

“Without financial support from other levels of government, construction will not begin until at least the 2031/32 financial year.”

The Wendouree Library of today is popular, based at shopping centre Stockland Wendouree, but Cr Moloney said it’s too small, lacks amenities and technology.

Under current budgeting, construction is expected to begin in 2031 or 2032. Community consultation is underway.