FAQ

The Naracoorte Lucindale Council is faced with determining the future of the Naracoorte Public Library. 

To inform Council’s decision making the Elected Members have requested that “public consultation is undertaken on the Naracoorte Public Library Pre-Design Analysis options 1 to 6 which includes a discussion on the cost, impact on rates and possible external funding”.

All feedback received will be provided to Council in a report at its July 2016 Council meeting. The final report will be available on this site for the public to view.

The public’s role in the decision making process is to provide feedback and offer opinions and perspectives on the six options presented including discussion on the cost, impact on rates and possible external funding.

The public participation goal is to involve the public in the decision by working:

“directly with the public through the process to ensure that public concerns and aspirations are consistently understood and considered”. (iap2 International Federation 2014)

The Council will work with the public:

“to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are directly reflect in the alternatives developed and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision”. (iap2 International Federation 2014)

The aim of the consultation is to inform the Elected Members’ decision relating to the future of the library building. 

The final decision is the responsibility of the Elected Members of the Naracoorte Lucindale Council. 

After the Elected Members have considered the consultation and if there is no clear direction from the public on a single option the results of the engagement may be used to develop a project ‘scope’ for the future of the library. 

In this instance the project scope will be consistent with the findings from the community engagement process and will represent a balance between the requirements of the library in terms of necessary improvements, and that of the overall wishes of the community.

The existing library is currently facing major maintenance and repair work and is in poor condition.  This is evident in the Pre-Design Analysis which provides a detailed Appraisal of the Existing Building and an estimate to repair the building, this is referred to as Option 00 – Repair / Maintain Existing Library. 

The cost provided in Option 00 is for works to address maintenance needs, such as roof replacement to fix leaks, air conditioning upgrades, electrical lighting replacement and new carpet.  The poor condition of the library is reflected by the high maintenance cost estimated in Option 00. 

Works will cost up to $454, 093 consisting of:

Replace carpet	$25,500
Replace ceiling	$42,500
Replace / upgrade lighting	$34,000
Air conditioning replacement	$50,000
Roof replacement	$68,000
Northern window rectification	$10,000
Plumbing repairs	$15,000
Toilet ventilation	$7,500
Vermin control	$10,800
Furniture adjustments / relocations to facilitate works	$10,000
Main Contractors preliminaries, overhead & margin	$40,995
Design development contingency	$23,572
Country loading/zone allowance12%	$40,544
ESTIMATED CURRENT CONSTRUCTION COST	$378,411
Construction contingency 5%	$18,921
Professional fees 15%	$56,762
ESTIMATED CURRENT PROJECT COST	$454,093

The poor condition of the library roof and associated infrastructure (such as gutters) has been an ongoing concern since 1996.  Despite maintenance being undertaken the library roof has continued to leak over the past 20 years.  Over this time other maintenance issues have arisen.  In February 2011, Council was provided with a report advising that:

“The roof is in a very poor state of repair, due to the air-conditioning unit on the roof which has over time compromised the integrity of the roof structure and the ducting is a constant source of leakage during rain.  Several attempts to patch the leaks have been unsuccessful and the straw insulation has now been damaged and become mouldy.”

“In addition to the roof leaking, several other areas of the building require attention. The timber framework for the large window facing Ormerod Street is rotting and causing damage to the carpet.”

The air conditioner that was installed in 1996 has reached the end of its useful life and can no longer be repaired. 

Option 00 – Repair / Maintain Existing Library does not take into consideration addressing issues such as Building Code and Disability Code non-conformances, addressing issues raised in the community consultation or im­proving the facilities in anything other than a maintenance capacity.  This option does not take into considerations the risks to the budget and remedial program due to the potential for unknown building problems that may arise.  

For these reasons Option 00 would represent budget spending on a failing asset, and would not provide long term value for council or the community and is therefore not being considered during this consultation.

The current library site achieves many of the desirable features that are critical to the success of a library building.  The existing location is in close proximity to the CBD, retail hub, open space, parking and cultural and civic precinct and the land is owned by the Council.

The library is well located adjacent to the Naracoorte Town Square and is within close proximity to the parklands and the shopping precinct.  It shares a block with the Council Offices which provides potential for future colocating opportunities.  There is ample on street parking opportunities around the Town Square precinct as well as off street parking in many local retail outlets which makes the current library site easily accessible to patrons.

The current library site is consistent with Council’s Structure Plan of extending the retail and civic nature of buildings surrounding the Town Square.

Relocating the library was discussed in 2000 and did not gain community support.

As the library is well located and the location meets the needs of the community the permanent re-location of the library will not be considered during this consultation. 

Note that any works, whether renovate, extend or upgrade, will require the relocation of the library to an alternative temporary location. 

Until a decision is made as to which is the preferred option the design and the look of the library cannot be determined. 

Public Libraries connect people and communities to knowledge, information and culture. They provide a safe, neutral space for all members of the community to come and read, learn, discover and be entertained. Libraries contribute directly to community priorities such as:

• health and wellbeing / social care
• economic growth
• community cohesion
• digital literacy
• literacy and learning
• access to cultural activity

Approximately 200 customers visit the Naracoorte Public Library every day.

This is around 4,000 to 5,000 customers per month.

During 2014-2015 there were 53,942 customers who used the library, borrowing 62,394 items.

Up to 30 April this year there have been 43,298 customers use the library, borrowing 52,710 items.