Community Invited to Help Create City’s Heart

Coffs Harbour’s community is being asked to help shape the proposed new central library, gallery and civic space for the CBD.

“The primary focus for the new building is that it should be inclusive – so what better way to underline that goal than in getting the community’s involvement in deciding how it looks and operates,” said Acting Mayor Councillor George Cecato. “We want locals to tell us what they like the most and like the least about three very different concept designs – or put forward their own ideas. We can then distil those choices into a brief for a new, detailed design. That detailed design will then be put out for further community input.”

Videos, images and other information concerning the design process will be available via Council’s haveyoursay.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/cultural-and-civic-space portal from Monday, March 5. The community has from Monday, March 5, until Sunday, March 25, to provide feedback on the concepts.

The new building, which is to be built on the site of 23-31 Gordon Street, is proposed to incorporate:

“The new ‘Cultural and Civic Space – For the Heart of the City’ is a major focus for our overall strategy to transform the CBD into a vibrant, busy destination that draws in locals and visitors alike,” added Cr Cecato. “As a local businessman, and a member of the Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce, I know how vital it is to the overall local economy to have a viable and dynamic CBD.

“Having an attractive facility that incorporates a modern library and gallery, a youth area and digital media studio, exhibition space, workshops and makers studios, public art, a café, small events space and technology resources, means people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities have a reason to visit.

“We want a new cultural heart for our city that is inclusive, appealing and welcoming to all.”

The community feedback and financial feasibility will be considered by Council at the end of this exhibition period so that the project can proceed to detailed design.

Click here to read the full release.