Creek library draws closer with construction deal

ARMSTRONG CREEK’S new library is due to start construction this month after the City of Greater Geelong awarded a $18 million construction contract.

The city awarded a tender to Ballarat-based Nicholson Construction for the new facility, which will be the city’s largest spend on community infrastructure for the Armstrong Creek Growth Area.

The Armstrong Creek Library and Community Hub will be the first infrastructure build designed to service the entire Armstrong Creek-Mount Duneed-Charlemont area, which the anticipates will eventually be home to as many as 65,000 people.

The hub adjoining the suburb’s town square and shopping precinct will also include modern and accessible amenities, a children’s story time area, multipurpose spaces, outdoor terraces and creative arts areas.

It will also be built to a five-star Green Star design and construction standard.

Kardinia Ward councillor Ron Nelson, who is also chair of the Geelong Regional Library Corporation, said the new library would provide an important gathering place as Armstrong Creek developed its own identity as a southern Geelong suburb.

“The library is actually the first social infrastructure delivered in the town centre to service the entire Armstrong Creek growth area,” Cr Nelson said.

“Following the disruption to social connection of the past few years, this development will be a positive step forward in bringing people together and restoring a sense of social cohesion.”

Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy said he was thrilled to see more steps towards delivering the exciting hub.

“It’s a particularly exciting initiative for the region and aligns with our vision to be an inclusive, diverse, healthy and socially connected community,” he said.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman also applauded the progress.

“I was proud to campaign for this much-needed facility with a successful petition earlier this year and I am very glad to see it being delivered for our growing local suburbs,” Mr Cheeseman said.

The library has $1.5 million worth of state government funding, with the City of Greater Geelong slated to pay the rest of the project’s $18.4 million cost.

The city said it would continue exploring other grant opportunities to lessen its share of the burden.

Builders are expected to on site by later this month to kick off construction on the project.

The library is due to open in early 2024.