Notice: Council services over Easter Read more.
Use space to open navigation items
City of Wollongong

Your vision for the Helensburgh Community Centre and Library

Tuesday 20 July 2021

We’re checking back in with the community about your vision for a new, integrated Community Centre and Library in the Helensburgh Town Centre that meets the changing needs of current and future residents.

This is a long-term project that has already been informed by past conversations with the Helensburgh community and those in surrounding suburbs.

At the moment, we’re considering a number of potential site options for the new facility and are hoping to share the details of the selected site soon. In the meantime, we’re inviting community members to submit feedback on our vision for the centre via the Our Wollongong website.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said Council is checking in with the Helensburgh community to make sure that what we’ve heard previously about library and community centre needs still holds true, or whether the combined facility sparks new ideas from the community.

“Finding the most suitable location is important. We need to take into consideration the many future uses of the library and community centre such as events, functions and activities as well as its possible use in emergency situations. Getting the location right is about ensuring we pick a site that allows for ease of access, public safety and functional use,” Cr Bradbery said.

“In our previous engagement activities, Helensburgh residents have told us what they think is important for a new library and a new community centre.

“With our scope re-focussing on an integrated community centre and library, we want to know if we’ve missed anything or if you have any additional thoughts that should be included in the vision for this combined facility. Your feedback is important as it will help inform the development of a concept design, which will be created once a location for the building has been confirmed.”

So far, the Helensburgh community has said that they would like to see:

  • An integrated space that’s welcoming, friendly and located within the Helensburgh Town Centre
  • A building with lots of natural light
  • Eco-friendly design that incorporates the distinctive Helensburgh landscape
  • Lounges, comfortable seating and quiet spaces for relaxation and reading
  • Better access to internet services and technology such as printers and computers
  • A design that focuses on accessibility, including access to parking and extended opening hours
  • Diverse spaces for different types of activities and events such as book clubs, music performances, arts and craft workshops, poetry readings and community meeting spaces.

“Major projects, like this one, take time and it’s important that we have an ongoing dialogue with our community so we can ensure that the finished product meets the needs of those who will one day use it,” Cr Bradbery said.

“This month we’re holding online information sessions for community members who are interested in this project, to provide opportunities for people to ask Council staff questions and provide additional feedback.

“This won’t be the only chance to give feedback on the Helensburgh Community Centre and Library. There will be further opportunities for residents to get involved throughout the course of the project. For now, I encourage everyone to use this opportunity to have a say and share your thoughts.”

The next online information session will be held on Saturday 24 July from 10AM to 11AM. Register for this session by visiting the Our Wollongong website.

Feedback for this stage of the project closes Monday 9 August 2021.

You can share your thoughts on the Helensburgh Community Centre and Library by visiting the Our Wollongong website and completing the online survey, or by emailing engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au or calling Customer Service on (02) 4227 7111.


Want more Council news?

Visit our News page to find out what's happening in your community, or sign up for e-news.