Liam McNally
A concept plan for the $7.25 million Ballan Library and Community Hub has been approved by Moorabool council.
The new centre was confirmed in January last year after $5 million in funding was secured through the Growing Suburbs fund and the Living Libraries program.
The concept plan for the library was put to council at a meeting on February 1.
The concept plan includes a variety of study spaces and flexible meeting rooms spread across the library, an outdoor space to cater for programs and events, exhibition spaces, a dedicated children’s library area, a dedicated teen space, and a maternal and child health space with waiting area and parents’ room.
Key design factors considered include creating a street presence which is in keeping with the historical buildings in the area while creating a contemporary façade with an “inviting presence”, incorporating recycled products, ensuring the building has good transparency to show activity in the building, and creating the opportunity for a civic plaza area and a laneway with rear access to the existing council car park.
The Ballan Library and Community Hub will now go into more detailed architectural planning. Construction is expected to begin in mid 2023 and be completed mid to late 2024.
Moorabool mayor Rod Ward said council is “very pleased” to approve the Ballan Library and Community Hub Concept Plan.
“This is the next step in making the hub a reality. The hub will be a fantastic asset for the community of Ballan and surrounds, and also result in an exciting and vibrant ‘plaza style’ meeting place in the Ballan town centre,” he said.
“We can’t wait to be able to offer this terrific community hub to residents and visitors to Ballan.”
