Community groups to give feedback on exciting library options
Published on 27 November 2018
Since the announcement of Council’s decision to endorse the development of the Yarrawonga Town Hall
and Library Precinct in June there has been a flurry of activity with a Yarrawonga Library Project
Steering Committee formed as well as a Yarrawonga Town Hall Precinct & Library Project Community
Reference Group.
The Reference Group is made up of representatives of community organisations including Friends of
the Library, Sacred Heart Debutante Ball Committee, Burkes Hotel, Mulwala Yarrawonga Social Dance
Group, St Cuthbert’s Anglican Ball Committee, Yarrawonga Lioness Club, CWA, Allegro Theatre
Company, Yoga Group, Sun Country Dance, Yarrawonga Chronicle and the local schools.
The Reference Group also has interested individuals who indicated they would like to participate in
a working group during the recent Community Consultation Survey.
The Steering Committee is a Council endorsed advisory committee comprised of Councillors,
representatives from the Goulburn Valley Regional Library Group, two elected members of the
Reference Group and two community representatives.
Deputy Mayor Peter Lawless said these two groups have been extremely busy and recently met with
architects from Kennedy Nolan who presented three broad concept options for the proposed Town Hall
Precinct development.
“The next steps involve both the Steering Committee and the Reference Group discussing each concept
option and providing their feedback to Council and to the architects so a draft Master Plan can be
prepared,” he said.
“The community is also invited to submit their thoughts and ideas on the three concept options for
the Yarrawonga Town Hall Precinct.
“This project has the potential to deliver a much needed new library and reinvigorate the entire
Town Hall precinct – from Belmore to Orr Street - so now is the time for the wider Yarrawonga
community to ask questions and propose ideas that the architects can address as they refine the
concepts.
“In the new year the more developed plans will be presented to the community for another round of
feedback.
“Option 1 is a new single storey building at the rear of the Town Hall and includes a new kitchen
to serve the Town Hall with flexible event and supper space in the library,” Cr Lawless said.
“Option 2 is a new two storey building at the rear of the Town Hall which incorporates a large
courtyard between them.
"This building includes a new kitchen to serve the Town Hall with flexible event and supper space
within the library.
“Option 3 is slightly different, being a new two storey building beside the Town Hall including
restoring some existing rooms in the Town Hall for library use and installing an elevator,
providing access to the first floor of the Town Hall.”
Cr Lawless said the Yarrawonga Town Hall Precinct was a significant asset and in its current state
it is an ageing site which is in need of improvements to allow the buildings to reach their
potential and make it accessible to all members of the community.
“This project has created an exciting opportunity to make the Yarrawonga Town Hall Precinct a more
user-friendly and dynamic space,” Cr Lawless said.
“The draft Master Plan will include a timeline of construction, costs and associated activities
which will include where storage space can be accessed and what other options will be available to
the various community groups who would normally access the Town Hall Precinct for their functions
during construction.
“Just go to our website to view each option.
“Information on the concept options will also be available at the Yarrawonga Service Centre;
feedback forms will also be available at the Yarrawonga Service Centre, the Yarrawonga Library and
on our website.”
Cr Lawless said more detailed and intensive community consultation would occur throughout the
Master Plan design and implementation process.
This consultation will take multiple forms, from calling for submissions to workshops to information
sessions at every milestone event,” he said.