Checked in: City’s $1.5m bid for Armstrong Creek library approved

THE first tranche of funding for the $18.48 million Armstrong Creek Library and Community Hub has been checked in, with the Victorian government confirming the City of Greater Geelong would get $1.5 million for the project.

Earlier this week, South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman announced the success of the city’s application to the 2021-22 Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.

The funding will help deliver the state-of-the-art library and community Hub in Armstrong Creek.

To be built in Main Street to the north of the existing car park and completed in early 2024, the three-storey library will be the first piece of community infrastructure for the Armstrong Creek Town Centre.

About a week after the city unveiled concept designs, Mr Cheeseman launched a petition lobbying his own government as well as the federal government to help fund the library, but he said he was proud to do so and the petition garnered about 200 signatures.

“I think petitions can be a good way to demonstrate to funders the level of community interest in a project, such as letter writing campaigns or other things.”

He said the nearly $20 million cost of building the library and community hub would largely be covered through developer contributions, but the state government was happy to consider further funding applications towards the project from the city.

“It’s great to see the Victorian government supporting the exciting Armstrong Creek Library and Community Hub project with this investment – it’s going to be an incredible asset for this growing community.”

Designed in collaboration between architect firm Buchan, the City of Greater Geelong, Geelong Regional Library Corporation, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the community, the 2,500-square-metre library will feature a collection of 40,000 books and resources.

It will also have flexible and easily accessible spaces for children’s learning, youth programs and dedicated multi-purpose meeting spaces on level one, with creative spaces and bookable co-working amenities on level two.

The ground floor will be the civic interface with direct access to the external terraces and the town centre.

The Living Libraries Infrastructure Program enables councils to deliver new or renewed library infrastructure to strengthen communities and encourage lifelong learning.

Since 2015, the Victorian government has invested more than $42.6 million into 109 Living Libraries projects, supporting a total investment of $297.2 million for new libraries, upgrades to existing facilities and library vans.

“We’re making huge investments in libraries across the state through the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program to ensure Victorians have access to the resources they need in their own backyards,” Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane said.