“Our focus is now working with the Department of Education on the contractual agreement between the parties that will legally commit Council to the joint-use facility.”
“We know this joint-use model is precedent setting for a regional area and we welcome the collaborative working relationship we have with the Department of Education,” said Mayor Ingram.
The new joint-use library will be located on Young High School grounds and will face Carrington Park with dedicated community access. The project will provide students with contemporary new learning spaces including access to multimedia facilities.
The joint-use library building will feature a variety of reading areas, video conferencing facilities, a multipurpose workshop, a computer lab, a youth wellbeing hub, a coffee bar and a Wiradjuri learning and cultural centre.
Main construction works for the library will begin by mid-2020 following planning approval, and is scheduled for completion by mid-2021.Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke, said she was pleased the project had achieved another important milestone.
“This is an exciting addition to Young that will deliver modern resources to our students and community now and into the future.
“The new library will provide the community with a centralised hub for social and cultural enrichment by providing greater opportunities to learn about Wiradjuri culture,” Ms Cooke said.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said she was excited to see the new images of the Young High School library upgrade.
“We are committed to strengthening education infrastructure in regional areas, and to support the future of all children in NSW. This joint-use project also presents an opportunity to deliver new library facilities and high-quality resources to the wider Young community,” Ms Mitchell said.
The endorsed designs are now available to view on the School Infrastructure NSW project website. The school and local community will be also be invited to community information sessions on Thursday 4 July to find out more about the project. The sessions will be held at the following locations and times:
- Hilltops Council (Young Office), 12pm – 2pm
- Young High School, 2.30pm – 5.30pm
- Hilltops Council (Young Office), 6pm – 8pm
The next step of the project is the lodgement of a State Significant Development Application in coming months.
The NSW Government is investing $6.7 billion over the next four years to deliver 190 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. In addition, a record $1.3 billion is being spent on school maintenance over five years, along with a record $500 million for the sustainable Cooler Classrooms program to provide air conditioning to schools. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.
Imagery + Background material:
Council Report and schematic designs- See attachment
High-res impressions https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1r6OtYhLXgAAUuOcfg3dEP8iKgtrLlsBK
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Media Contact- Hilltops Council- Sarah Karaitiana 0418 755 092
Media Contact- NSW Department of Education Media Unit- mediaunit@det.nsw.edu.au