Dunolly Library project moves a step closer
Published on 11 November 2020
Works on a new library facility in Dunolly have commenced.
The former Police station building in Dunolly – located in the Dunolly Courthouse precinct on Market Street – is the site for the new facility.
Works to refurbish the building commenced this week (09/11) with the project being undertaken by FNG Group Pty Ltd.
The project has been made possible thanks to $140,000 in funding from the State Government – Living Libraries Grant which was announced in December last year.
Central Goldfields Shire Council Administrator Karen Douglas said it was exciting to see the project move a step closer.
“The Dunolly community has been campaigning for many years to see a new a library facility introduced.
“Whilst various suggestions and alternatives have been investigated this new facility will certainly be a huge step forward from the current visiting Outreach Van service that is offered by our Maryborough Regional Library team. The Outreach Service has been utilising the St John’s Anglican Church Hall which requires setting up shelves for every session.
“This new static facility will mean we can offer a larger collection of resources, services and activities as well as an increase in opening hours making it more accessible to the community.
“With its location alongside the historic Court House it will be wonderful to see this heritage building able to be used by the local community and we thank the Dunolly Heritage Precinct Committee for their support into the project to date.
“We’re also expecting that the addition of the Library to the Precinct will lead to an increase in visitation to the Precinct.”
“In recognising the heritage value of the police station including the fittings and fixtures (which will be restored) every attempt to preserve the original building is being taken while abiding by the required standards necessary. We have also planned the works to ensure that we can return the building to its previous state at some point in the future if the library was to be re-located into a permanent home elsewhere”
“Despite some delays to the project due to COVID-19, we’re excited to see the progress of this facility take place.”
The redevelopment project involves the restumping of the existing building and the construction of an accessible toilet, ramp, new shelving, fresh paint and new carpet. The new site also features air-conditioning.
Once complete the Dunolly Library will be home to a larger collection of resources as well as a public access computer, free WIFI and additional children’s programming.
The facility is expected to be open by Christmas 2020.
To complement the project and ensure accessibility to the new facility Council extended the footpath network earlier in the year.
The project, funded as part of Council’s 2019/2020 Budget, provides pedestrian access from Broadway, along Bull Street to the new Library facility.