Helensburgh Community Centre and Library

Good question!

Council closed the original Helensburgh Community Centre at 26 Walker Street in late 2021 due to significant damage from subfloor water ingress and widespread black mould throughout the building.

Detailed investigations, including hygienist assessments, found that part of the centre—the former youth rooms adjacent to Walker Street—could be repaired. These rooms were fixed up and reopened as the Helensburgh Community Rooms to provide temporary space for the community to use.

However, the condition of the hall was significantly worse. Moisture issues from water under the hall had been evident for some time, and various works were undertaken in 2011, 2012, and 2015 to try to rectify the problem. Despite these efforts, water continued to flow through the subfloor area, and mould contamination kept getting worse.

When we spoke to the community about the centre and library, many residents told us they found the old community centre poorly designed, uncomfortable, dark, and clinical. (Helensburgh Community Centre Option Engagement Report 2020)

After weighing up all the options, Council decided that permanently closing the old centre and building a new facility was the best use of community funds.

Back in 2017, Council started talking with the Helensburgh community about plans for a new library. People told us they wanted an eco-friendly, light-filled space that could accommodate a wide range of uses, events and activities. (Helensburgh Library – Engagement Report April 2017)

As planning progressed, Council considered the option of co-locating the community centre and library to create an integrated community hub. In 2019 and 2020, Council engaged with the community about this vision and sought their feedback.

The community told us that they support this vision and wanted a modern design similar to successful combined community facilities like the Thirroul Community Centre and Library. (Helensburgh Community Centre Option Engagement Report 2020)

We’re planning for around 1,000m2 facility across two levels.

This size of the facility is based on Council’s adopted Places for the Future – Social Infrastructure: Future Directions Plan. The Plan sets a benchmark of 84.5m² per 1,000 population for a co-located library and community centre.

Current population figures for Helensburgh and surrounds are approximately 9,960, with little predicted growth to 2046. This equates to a floorspace size of 845m². The planned new centre exceeds this benchmark and allows for additional flexibility to meet the community’s needs for a modern and vibrant community hub.

Because you asked for it, we've designed spaces that allow for community meetings, fitness classes, and social events to happen simultaneously.

While the designs are currently being finalised, the plan is for 1 meeting room, 3 bookable office spaces and a public hall with kitchen all available for community use.  The new centre will also provide more than twice the library floor space of the current Helensburgh Library, along with spaces for study, meetings, recreation and technology.

The hall will be around 220 square metres. That’s bigger than the main hall at Thirroul District Community Centre & Library and almost the same size as the one at Corrimal District Community Centre & Library.

The hall will have a capacity for over 200 people, as well as kitchen facilities, air conditioning, Wi-Fi access, and AV equipment.

Accessibility is a key focus, and the modern amenities and flexible spaces mean the centre can adapt to the needs of the community, making this facility more versatile than the previous one.

Council needs to make sure community funds are used wisely across many important projects in the LGA. Selling the adjoining land where the current library sits will help fund the new facility and allow us to deliver a great space for the community sooner.

The long-term plan for the current community centre site is eventual demolition.

Right now, there are no decisions about future use of the land because Council only owns part of the site.

This is a cornerstone project for Helensburgh. Our vision is a vibrant hub that blends technology, creativity, and green innovation while complementing the area’s unique bushland character.

We’ll share the designs with the community in February 2026. This will include opportunities to chat with Council representatives and the design team face-to-face  who will be available to answer questions and talk through the plans.

The new Community Centre and Library is a multi-million-dollar investment in the area.

We can’t share an exact figure yet because Council hasn’t gone out to tender for construction.

The centre is being designed in consultation with specialist bushfire consultant and the RFS to address and mitigate the risk of bushfire on the facility, which will likely include the partial clearing of land to the east to form an Asset Protection Zone (APZ).

Protected species will remain unaffected, although there may be some reduction to introduced and invasive species in the APZ. Council is also developing a management plan to explore ways to potentially reduce the size of the APZ, ensuring a careful balance between safety and environmental preservation.

Yes, parking and accessibility are key considerations in the planning process.

Parking will be included onsite, including accessible parking spots, and will be easily accessible from the town centre. As the site is near public transport, the centre will also connect to local bus routes.

The new centre will include a hall/auditorium that can be used for a wide range of recreational, entertainment and fitness uses.   However, it is not a dedicated sporting facility.

Council's Aquatic and Indoor Sports strategy is open from 10 December 2025 to 8 February 2026 for community feedback. Please register your interest on the Let’s Talk Wollongong website if you’d like to be notified to ensure that your ideas are heard.

Outdoor court provisions are considered as part Council’s Sport and Recreation strategy.