Community at core of new Council building

The community will be at the core of a new development in the Hervey Bay City Centre that will feature a new public plaza, a larger library over two levels and flexible spaces that can be booked for meetings or community events.

Fraser Coast Regional Council today endorsed the concept design report for the new Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre (incorporating a Disaster Resilience Centre), which will be built on the corner of Main Street and Torquay Road in Pialba.

The concept design report includes artist’s impressions of the new building and public plaza, outlines the strategy behind the design, and details how the library and office spaces could be fitted out.

Cr Denis Chapman said Council was partnering with the Australian Government through the Hinkler Regional Deal to improve local economic outcomes, liveability and resilience, with the new Council building to be the “backbone” of the Hervey Bay City Centre revitalisation.

“In developing a new Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre, we want to create a building that sets the benchmark for business, investors and developers,” he said.

“The building design has the community at its core with an expanded library over two levels and flexible community spaces that could be used both day and night.

“A pedestrian link crosses through the site providing a new front door to the parklands in Pialba while a new public plaza will be created in Main Street and about 100 underground public car parks will be provided.

“More than three quarters of the development will be community space.”

Cr Jade Wellings said the current Hervey Bay Library had about 225,000 visitations a year and was only half the size it should be to meet Australian and Queensland library standards.

“The new Library and Council Administration Centre will be a community hub – a place to support learning and innovation, and a place where the community can come together to socialize and benefit from centralized Council services,” she said.

“By improving the library’s floor space and design, we can build on our programs, cater for our growing population and help improve education outcomes in our region.”

Cr David Lee said the building would have a total functional area of about 9000 square metres over five levels and would be designed to sit above a one in 500 year flood.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to reshape our city centre in Hervey Bay, to create jobs and to drive economic growth and investment. This will bring hundreds of workers into the Hervey Bay City Centre, which will provide a huge boost to nearby businesses,” he said.

“This is about creating a social, economic and cultural heart in Hervey Bay.

“We encourage anyone interested in finding out more about this project to visit Council’s Engagement Hub website.”

The Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre (incorporating a Disaster Resilience Centre) is a commitment under the Hinkler Regional Deal.

The project is funded through a combination of Australian Government funding ($40 million), Council’s general revenue, land sales and borrowings, and is estimated to cost almost $100 million.

More details about the project, including a copy of the concept design report, is available at https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/hervey-bay-library-administration-centre-inc-disaster-resilience-centre

The concept design report was prepared for Council by Cottee Parker Architects and Bloc Design, with the overall project being managed by Savills.

The Hinkler Regional Deal for the Bundaberg-Hervey Bay region is an Australian Government initiative in partnership with the local Councils that seeks to build on the area’s strengths to provide economic growth and long-term employment.