By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) has confirmed the new location for the Stanthorpe Library during renovations on the current site.
While the site is rebuilt, the library will temporarily operate from the Stanthorpe Administration building.
SDRC stated that once the expansion is completed, the Stanthorpe Library is going to be bigger and better.
SDRC Chief Executive Dave Burges said the library will be run out of the customer service area where computers are.
He confirmed they will do home delivery, and said there will be a reduced service.
Referencing the lack of services during the pandemic, he said limited services are better than nothing.
A location for the art gallery to relocate to has not been decided on, and Mr Burges said they are responsible for deciding where they will go.
He stated that SDRC will cover the costs of their move and has provided several options for them in the draft budget, which is out now.
SDRC discussed options for locations that the Stanthorpe Art Gallery and Library could be moved to at an information session earlier this year.
The three options presented by staff were the Stanthorpe Showgrounds, the Stanthorpe Council Chambers, and the Stanthorpe Civic Centre.
In the meeting, staff outlined the history of the project, stating that they were awarded the Building Better Regions Funding (BBRF) in January 2022.
The works will be undertaken over two years, with a project value of $4 million.
A tender for the construction is currently underway, with construction expected to commence in July 2022.
Anyone interested in applying for the construction contract can do so via VendorPanel, with applications closing on Friday 17 June.
The library and art gallery are required to vacate the premises starting in August or September of this year.
It was stated in the meeting earlier this year that Stanthorpe Showgrounds’ Mezzanine Floor may not have been available in time for construction this year.
There are also reported issues with TMR and QRail approvals as well as Fire Fighting Requirements.
The second option was listed as the Old Council Chambers, however, councillors did discuss the new chambers too.
The old chambers are currently occupied by Stanthorpe Senior Citizens, Southern Downs Industry Education Association (SDIEA), Ten FM, and Lifeline.
Stanthorpe Senior Citizen has a lease through to 2026, while Ten FM and Lifeline have an Agreement to Occupy through to 2024 and SDRC agreed to renew SDIEA’s lease in September 2021.
When discussing the new chambers, it was stated that there were security issues at play when considering the use of this site.
It is unclear how SDRC has mitigated these concerns, or where exactly onsite library services will operate from.
The third option, Stanthorpe Civic Centre, presented issues as multiple groups regularly use the facility.
The presentation outlined that schools regularly use the facility for youth events, as well as events such as the Apple & Grape Harvest Festival at the start of the year, Eisteddfod in May, Snowflakes in Stanthorpe in July, and more.
Councillors did raise concerns about losing bookings for events if locals are forced to find alternatives during the construction period.
The presentation to councillors stated that there are approximately 50 bookings that would be unable to go ahead if that option was chosen and approximately $31k in lost revenue.
