The proposed relocation of Campbelltown’s main library from Hurley Street to the former Spotlight premises in Queen Street will cost ratepayers a minimum of $8.5 million.
Council reviewed 12 sites for relocation before landing on the Spotlight premises, which needs major construction work to make it fit for the purpose.
A report to Campbelltown Council says the move would be a commercial boon for the struggling main street, pictured above, bringing in around $1 million in revenue the first year alone.
The 30 year old library needs to be moved to make way for stage two of the Genesis Care health care centre.
The $54 million stage one opened earlier this year.
“The developer, Northwest Health, are now actively proceeding with Stage 2, a $68 million day surgery hospital and associated health services and medical offices. This development will require the relocation of the existing library,’’ says the report to council.
The report says the plan is to relocate the library early next year.
“The relocated Campbelltown City Library, which will be located within a 3 minute walk from Campbelltown train station and bus interchange and within proximity to the CBD, will encourage visitors to use public and passive modes of transport,’’ says the report.
“Visitor survey data shows that 87 per cent of library visitors use a car to access the current library with the remaining 13 per cent choosing alternative means of transport such as walking, train, bus or bike.
“The central location of the relocated Campbelltown City Library will also help to reduce the barriers for visitors across the region to access library services.’’
The report says the community responded positively to the news of the library re-location last year, including a Facebook post on reaching 14,907 people with 333 engagements, 173 comments and only one negative reaction.
The report quotes positive comments such as this one:
“Awesome stuff! New location is closer to train station and plenty of parking in Hurley St /Milgate Lane car park. The Downtown Plaza seriously needs some new life after Spotlight left and this will be fantastic for the small businesses there…”
At next Tuesday’s council meeting, councillors will vote on whether to approve the $8.5 million budget to enable the relocation.
I would ask where will patrons park? That car park is already very busy and full. Great being close to the station but how many people catch a train to the library?
I catch a train to Liverpool Library and used to catch a train to Ingleburn Library and Minto Library (when it was open to the public).
Railway station. Not Train Station.
8.5 million? That is an obscene amount of money to relocate a library.
Most learning is done online.
What about the old RTA building as a better location?
Another brain-dead move by a brain-dead council. Watch the rates get hiked for this terrible decision. Audit is needed.
What about improving the parking, its not adequate at present.
Will it actually occur or will it be like the billabong and never be completed? Where will the parking for the day surgery hospital be located? Will bats be re-located as well?
Correct me If I am absolutely wrong but wasn’t the building In which the struggling business that everyone knew as Spotlight wasn’t It situated In Queen street In Campbelltown where the once Downes-Department-Store previously existed??? I do believe that It was originally the Department Store known to many people who were local and living within that Community throughout the 1950’s until the Stores ultimate demise due sometime In the 1980’s predominately because of It being unable to compete with the Macarthur-Square-Shopping-Centre??? Downes was an Institution and up until the new retail competition arrived upon Campbelltown’s doorstep the overall majority of people shopped at Downes I should know since I worked there within the Menswear and Schoolwear section throughout the 1970’s tis a crying shame that business went the way of the Dinosaur. 13/5/2024.