Moira secures loan for Yarrawonga Library development
Published on 03 April 2020
Moira Shire Council’s application for a low interest community infrastructure loan of $3.75 million towards construction of the Yarrawonga Library and Performance Precinct has been approved by the Treasury Corporation Victoria (TCV).
Mayor Libro Mustica said Council voted to apply for this loan at the November 2019 ordinary meeting, and now it was approved would “progress planning permits and detailed design for a new library, events and performance precinct at the Yarrawonga Town Hall site”.
“We are also preparing for Heritage Victoria to commence its assessment of the heritage nomination, lodge by a local resident,” Cr Mustica said.
“We doubt the community hall component of the application has much merit but we certainly acknowledge the significance of the Town Hall and can’t wait to see it getting more use as part of a revitalised civic precinct.
“Council will be entering into funding agreements in anticipation of all these aspects coming together over the next six months with construction to commence in early 2021.
“In addition, the old Maternal and Child Health building demolition works have been completed and it is starting to show how the site can be opened up and ultimately connect through to Belmore Street.”
Cr Mustica said as the application for the loan was successful the balance of funding required would be included in Council budgets to ensure the project could get underway in 2021.
“Making use of a loan facility at a TCV discounted interest rate will spread the cost over a longer period of time rather than a single year and give us some financial flexibility to fund other projects across the shire,” he said.
“We are extremely appreciative of the Victorian Government’s financial support in arranging this low interest source of funds.
“The current Yarrawonga Library, while delivering an excellent service with participation numbers second only to the Shepparton Library in the Goulburn Valley region, is limited by space which is constraining the ability to deliver various programs.
“The Yarrawonga Town Hall Precinct has been independently evaluated to be the most suitable site for the purposes of a new library and we know that future generations will benefit from a main street location.
“We aim to create a vibrant and diverse community hub including a library, Customer Service Centre, meeting spaces and a commercial kitchen to service the town hall.”
Cr Mustica acknowledged the concerns raised by user groups of the existing community hall and precinct.
“Council staff and the architects have met with, listened to and incorporated where possible the services and facilities user groups need into the new designs – we are continuing to listen to and refine these plans,” he said.
“I am confident we can work through everyone’s concerns to achieve a wonderful civic precinct development that will reinvigorate Yarrawonga’s most prominent public building and serve the whole community for many years to come.”