Naracoorte Library Redevelopment

Consultation has concluded.

NARACOORTE LIBRARY REDEVELOPMENT FAQs - 6 DECEMBER 2021

Upcoming key milestones in project delivery:

Area

Activity

Town Hall Toilets Renovation

Completed

Children’s Area - Overlooking Ormerod Street


Lock-up by Mid-December. External cladding completed by early January.

Flooring

Tiling complete.

Other flooring to be completed by early January.

Partitions + Ceilings

50% of all framing, linings and doors completed.

Feature ceiling panelling and timber beam work will be completed in January.

Fixed joinery will be installed in December.

Second Fix

January is scheduled for the second fix of all mechanical, electrical and hydraulic services.

Client Items

Shelving, furniture and signage all to be installed late January.

Streetscaping

Smith Street works to be completed early December, Ormerod Street works to be completed early January.

Windows

All windows will be installed in early December to allow for lock-up.

Commissioning, Testing + Cleaning

Late January-early February will see all commissioning and testing of services, manuals completed and signed off and staff training conducted.

Handover + Opening

February 2022


When can we expect construction to be completed?

Construction is now expected to be completed by the end of January 2022. This is approximately four weeks’ later than originally hoped due to building sector shutdown over Christmas and some supply chain issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When will the new Library be open?

The new Library is planned to open to the public on Monday 7 February 2022.

How will locals and visitors alike easily find their way to the new Library in Smith Street?

Customised and striking signage has been created for the redeveloped Naracoorte Library + Town Hall by Elevation Design from Adelaide and Hyland Fox Signs from Mount Gambier.

While the completed Library and Town Hall precinct will be clearly and simply signposted as ‘Naracoorte Library + Town Hall’, the signage will also feature a large capital ‘N’ to highlight its significance and prominence in the Naracoorte town centre. The ‘N’ will also be used on marketing materials.

Interior signage will align closely with the architectural interior aesthetic for the project, as designed by Brett Julian Architect from Adelaide, and new rooms and spaces have been named in collaboration with the Naracoorte Caves to link the town centre to South Australia’s only World Heritage site.

These will include the Alexandra Room, the Victoria Room, the Bat Cave and the Wonambi Gallery:

  • The Alexandra Room - a community meeting room located at the front of the Library. This is named after the spectacular and visually-stunning Alexandra Cave at the Naracoorte Caves, which was discovered in 1908.
  • The Victoria Room - the local history room located at the rear of the Library, the Victoria Room gets its name from the Victoria Cave which is renowned for its outstanding scientific value.
  • The Bat Cave - the playful and engaging children’s area. Featuring stunning large windows to let in an abundance of natural light, the children’s area has its own disabled access and is located near the Library’s parents room. The Bat Cave at the Naracoorte Caves is one of only three known breeding sites for the Southern Bent-wing Bat.
  • The Wonambi Gallery - a brand new exhibition space in the heart of Naracoorte, the Wonambi Gallery will present a changing program of exhibitions, ranging from local artists and collections to nationally-significant touring works. Located in the foyer of the Town Hall and accessible whenever the facilities are open, it connects the new Library and historic Naracoorte Town Hall by a linked space, creating much-needed upgraded disabled access to the Town Hall and upgraded Town Hall toilet facilities. The naming of the gallery is a nod to the Wonambi Fossil Centre at the Naracoorte Caves, which acknowledges the now-extinct Wonambi - a species of constrictor snake first identified from fossil material found at Naracoorte.

Elements of the customised signage for the project also have links to the historical use of the new Library building at 93 Smith Street as a printing press for the former Naracoorte Herald newspaper. The vivid cyan, magenta, yellow and black colours of a printing colour bar feature on the signage, with these strong vibrant colours also supporting a renewed approach to activity and promotion for the Library and Town Hall.

The Smith Street Streetscape of the redeveloped Naracoorte Library + Town Hall has been a hive of activity - why?

There’s nothing like making an entrance, so the streetscape of the new Library and Town Hall is a real showstopper! Out the front of the building will be bike racks, street furniture, signage and an eye-catching sculpture. The sculpture by Matt Hill, Shadow Sphere, is a glowing Corten steel sculpture which references an area of activity, interest and expertise - much like the redeveloped space. With its in-built lighting, it will create a point of interest on the main street at night, contributing to the activation of the town centre after hours.

What will be some of the most visibly significant features of the redeveloped Naracoorte Library + Town Hall?

  • Starting out the front of the building, the front wall of the new library has been rebuilt with new stone to ensure a consistent finish with the existing stone, and some repairs have also been made to the connection with the Town Hall. A point of interest - the supporting steel frame between the new Library and Town Hall doorway weighs 500kg!
  • The internal panelling in the new Library will consist of various innovative timber finishes to create a beautiful and functional acoustic insulation.
  • The main walkway will feature timber flooring with soft carpet tiles to each side.
  • There will be various feature laminates and other fabrics throughout to compliment the new colour palette.
  • Bi-fold doors on the community meeting room will enable the space to be opened up to the main Library area or closed for meetings and other events.
  • A significant amount of joinery work internally will be a stand-out feature of the new Library.

What facilities and services will people be able to enjoy in the new Library?

  • The overall Library collection will house 18,000 items across children’s, youth, fiction, non-fiction, DVDs and other resources.
  • The children’s area, the Bat Cave, will be in its own contained space with no through traffic to make it easier for parents and caregivers to supervise children, and feature giant picture book tubs.
  • There will be a parents’ bathroom in the main Library area and the old men’s and women’s toilets in the Town Hall have been renovated.
  • The Victoria Room will house video-conferencing facilities and the Library’s popular microfiche machine, and significant historical items will be housed in custom-built cabinetry.
  • Brand new public use computers will be installed and made available in the main section of the Library.
  • There will be reading nooks and a variety of tables, chairs and quiet or shared spaces for people to use.
  • A self-check station will be installed so Library patrons will be able to checkout their own books.
  • An external Library returns chute will be installed fronting Smith Street.
  • There will be a new heating and cooling system throughout the entire Library.

What new programs are being developed for the new Library?

A number of new Library programs are being developed including a Lego club and after-school art club. Programs will kick off at the start of the 2022 school year. Existing popular programs will continue in the new Library including Maths for Under 5s, storytime, book club and digital literacy programs for seniors.

*As work on this significant project unfolds, the community is encouraged to remain up to date through Council’s Facebook Page and this Your Say page, where a forum is set up below for general comments.

  • Your Say - yoursay.naracoortelucindale.sa.gov.au
  • Facebook - facebook.com/naracoortelucindalecouncil
  • Email - yoursay@nlc.sa.gov.au
  • Phone - 8760 1100


NARACOORTE LIBRARY REDEVELOPMENT FAQs - 6 DECEMBER 2021

Upcoming key milestones in project delivery:

Area

Activity

Town Hall Toilets Renovation

Completed

Children’s Area - Overlooking Ormerod Street


Lock-up by Mid-December. External cladding completed by early January.

Flooring

Tiling complete.

Other flooring to be completed by early January.

Partitions + Ceilings

50% of all framing, linings and doors completed.

Feature ceiling panelling and timber beam work will be completed in January.

Fixed joinery will be installed in December.

Second Fix

January is scheduled for the second fix of all mechanical, electrical and hydraulic services.

Client Items

Shelving, furniture and signage all to be installed late January.

Streetscaping

Smith Street works to be completed early December, Ormerod Street works to be completed early January.

Windows

All windows will be installed in early December to allow for lock-up.

Commissioning, Testing + Cleaning

Late January-early February will see all commissioning and testing of services, manuals completed and signed off and staff training conducted.

Handover + Opening

February 2022


When can we expect construction to be completed?

Construction is now expected to be completed by the end of January 2022. This is approximately four weeks’ later than originally hoped due to building sector shutdown over Christmas and some supply chain issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When will the new Library be open?

The new Library is planned to open to the public on Monday 7 February 2022.

How will locals and visitors alike easily find their way to the new Library in Smith Street?

Customised and striking signage has been created for the redeveloped Naracoorte Library + Town Hall by Elevation Design from Adelaide and Hyland Fox Signs from Mount Gambier.

While the completed Library and Town Hall precinct will be clearly and simply signposted as ‘Naracoorte Library + Town Hall’, the signage will also feature a large capital ‘N’ to highlight its significance and prominence in the Naracoorte town centre. The ‘N’ will also be used on marketing materials.

Interior signage will align closely with the architectural interior aesthetic for the project, as designed by Brett Julian Architect from Adelaide, and new rooms and spaces have been named in collaboration with the Naracoorte Caves to link the town centre to South Australia’s only World Heritage site.

These will include the Alexandra Room, the Victoria Room, the Bat Cave and the Wonambi Gallery:

  • The Alexandra Room - a community meeting room located at the front of the Library. This is named after the spectacular and visually-stunning Alexandra Cave at the Naracoorte Caves, which was discovered in 1908.
  • The Victoria Room - the local history room located at the rear of the Library, the Victoria Room gets its name from the Victoria Cave which is renowned for its outstanding scientific value.
  • The Bat Cave - the playful and engaging children’s area. Featuring stunning large windows to let in an abundance of natural light, the children’s area has its own disabled access and is located near the Library’s parents room. The Bat Cave at the Naracoorte Caves is one of only three known breeding sites for the Southern Bent-wing Bat.
  • The Wonambi Gallery - a brand new exhibition space in the heart of Naracoorte, the Wonambi Gallery will present a changing program of exhibitions, ranging from local artists and collections to nationally-significant touring works. Located in the foyer of the Town Hall and accessible whenever the facilities are open, it connects the new Library and historic Naracoorte Town Hall by a linked space, creating much-needed upgraded disabled access to the Town Hall and upgraded Town Hall toilet facilities. The naming of the gallery is a nod to the Wonambi Fossil Centre at the Naracoorte Caves, which acknowledges the now-extinct Wonambi - a species of constrictor snake first identified from fossil material found at Naracoorte.

Elements of the customised signage for the project also have links to the historical use of the new Library building at 93 Smith Street as a printing press for the former Naracoorte Herald newspaper. The vivid cyan, magenta, yellow and black colours of a printing colour bar feature on the signage, with these strong vibrant colours also supporting a renewed approach to activity and promotion for the Library and Town Hall.

The Smith Street Streetscape of the redeveloped Naracoorte Library + Town Hall has been a hive of activity - why?

There’s nothing like making an entrance, so the streetscape of the new Library and Town Hall is a real showstopper! Out the front of the building will be bike racks, street furniture, signage and an eye-catching sculpture. The sculpture by Matt Hill, Shadow Sphere, is a glowing Corten steel sculpture which references an area of activity, interest and expertise - much like the redeveloped space. With its in-built lighting, it will create a point of interest on the main street at night, contributing to the activation of the town centre after hours.

What will be some of the most visibly significant features of the redeveloped Naracoorte Library + Town Hall?

  • Starting out the front of the building, the front wall of the new library has been rebuilt with new stone to ensure a consistent finish with the existing stone, and some repairs have also been made to the connection with the Town Hall. A point of interest - the supporting steel frame between the new Library and Town Hall doorway weighs 500kg!
  • The internal panelling in the new Library will consist of various innovative timber finishes to create a beautiful and functional acoustic insulation.
  • The main walkway will feature timber flooring with soft carpet tiles to each side.
  • There will be various feature laminates and other fabrics throughout to compliment the new colour palette.
  • Bi-fold doors on the community meeting room will enable the space to be opened up to the main Library area or closed for meetings and other events.
  • A significant amount of joinery work internally will be a stand-out feature of the new Library.

What facilities and services will people be able to enjoy in the new Library?

  • The overall Library collection will house 18,000 items across children’s, youth, fiction, non-fiction, DVDs and other resources.
  • The children’s area, the Bat Cave, will be in its own contained space with no through traffic to make it easier for parents and caregivers to supervise children, and feature giant picture book tubs.
  • There will be a parents’ bathroom in the main Library area and the old men’s and women’s toilets in the Town Hall have been renovated.
  • The Victoria Room will house video-conferencing facilities and the Library’s popular microfiche machine, and significant historical items will be housed in custom-built cabinetry.
  • Brand new public use computers will be installed and made available in the main section of the Library.
  • There will be reading nooks and a variety of tables, chairs and quiet or shared spaces for people to use.
  • A self-check station will be installed so Library patrons will be able to checkout their own books.
  • An external Library returns chute will be installed fronting Smith Street.
  • There will be a new heating and cooling system throughout the entire Library.

What new programs are being developed for the new Library?

A number of new Library programs are being developed including a Lego club and after-school art club. Programs will kick off at the start of the 2022 school year. Existing popular programs will continue in the new Library including Maths for Under 5s, storytime, book club and digital literacy programs for seniors.

*As work on this significant project unfolds, the community is encouraged to remain up to date through Council’s Facebook Page and this Your Say page, where a forum is set up below for general comments.

  • Your Say - yoursay.naracoortelucindale.sa.gov.au
  • Facebook - facebook.com/naracoortelucindalecouncil
  • Email - yoursay@nlc.sa.gov.au
  • Phone - 8760 1100


Consultation has concluded.

  • Library Construction Update

    supporting image

    Two months into the project and the Naracoorte Library redevelopment is well underway.

    Mossop Construction and Interiors have established a site office and quickly undertaken the internal demolition and civil construction works, with project activity now visible on both Ormerod and Smith Streets.

    The construction snapshot so far includes:

    • Construction site establishment and set up, including a site office and security fencing

    • Internal demolition of the old Naracoorte Herald Building at 93 Smith Street Naracoorte

    • Demolition of the wall to create a new walkway between the Town Hall and Library

    • The start of civil works on Smith Street

    • Toilet refurbishment in the Naracoorte Town Hall including an upgrade of the women’s toilets

    • Structural steel manufacture

    • Underground service connections cut in for sewerage, power and water

    CEO Trevor Smart said he is pleased with the progress so far.

    “Mossop and Council have focussed on getting the Town Hall works completed first, so the Town Hall is operational for the lead into Christmas and the pedestrian access from the street is improved. This will include a temporary access ramp out the front on Smith Street and a refresh of the foyer including new carpet and lighting”.

    “Moving forward over the next few weeks the construction program will expand to include new footings for the new children’s area onto Ormerod Street and we will start to re-work the front façade on Smith Street for the new Library entrance.”

    Parking at the front of the Naracoorte Town Hall will remain, with the disabled park being reinstated and a new car park created on Ormerod Street at the rear of the Town Hall. Overall parking concerns in the centre of town will be addressed as part of the Naracoorte Town Centre Rejuvenation Plan and more information on both the Library Redevelopment and the Town Centre Rejuvenation Plan can be found at yoursay.naracoortelucindale.sa.gov.au.

    Looking ahead, the construction program is tracking for a December 2021 completion, pending any unforeseen Covid-19 related delays to the project.

  • Library works to begin

    supporting image

    Naracoorte Library Work to Begin

    The pages are turning quickly in the ever-unfolding story of the Naracoorte Library Redevelopment with work set to get underway on the new library premises in mid-August.

    Naracoorte Lucindale Council has awarded the contract for the refurbishment and construction of the new library at 93 Smith Street, Naracoorte, to leading South Australian builder Mossop Construction + Interiors based in Mount Gambier.

    Mossop submitted a very competitive tender along with a well-considered construction schedule making its approach and potential partnership with Council an attractive proposition. The project design brief was completed by Brett Julian Architect from Adelaide.

    Chief Executive Officer for Naracoorte Lucindale Council Trevor Smart says he is thrilled to see this project begin.

    “After a long process of consultation, project scoping and costing which ultimately led to Council settling on a location for the Library at 93 Smith Street, I am very pleased to announce this partnership with the team at Mossop. Together we can deliver a great long-term asset for the community, which will not only get a new library space, but also a more connected experience with the Library and Town Hall coming together as one precinct.”

    The total project cost - including $2.18M of construction works - will be $2.38M, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

    The $2.38M project cost is the complete package for the project and includes landscaping, upgrading and extending the street facade, signage, furniture, renovation of the Town Hall toilets and foyer, public art and the installation of audio visual and IT equipment, in addition to the construction works. This approach - to deliver a completed Library and Hall precinct - saw the initial project scope expanded to include upgrades to the Town Hall toilets and additional streetscaping works.

    “The additional costs would need to be expended by Council in coming years. It has the same effect on finances and the bottom line over time, but allows for the total project to be completed in a more cost-effective and timely manner,” said Mr Smart.

    Mossop - which will also use local sub-contractors for the Library and Town Hall project - has completed many library, civic and community projects of a similar scale, nature and value, notably the Portland Library refurbishment which was awarded the 2020 Award for Excellence - Community Assets & Infrastructure Initiative ($2M and under) to the Glenelg Shire Council by the Victorian Local Government Authority (LGA). It is also a three-time winner of the prestigious Master Builders Association of SA’s Commercial Builder of the Year Award.

    Mossop says it’s very excited to be collaborating with Naracoorte Lucindale Council and Brett Julian Architect to deliver the refurbishment of the Naracoorte Library, and understands the importance of the Library for the Naracoorte community and the services that it provides for the region. Having previously delivered the award-winning refurbishment for the Portland Library, Mossop is experienced in what makes a best seller and the team is looking forward to making this project an overwhelming success.

    “Our regional team live and work in the region, so we really understand just how important this project is for the community and to support the local economy,” said Mossop’s Regional Manager Craig Williamson.

    According to Mr Williamson, one of the keys to the company’s success is the fact that its regional team is based locally and genuinely appreciates the impact its work has on local communities.

    Supporting local trades and businesses wherever it can is a key commitment by Mossop, and Mr Williamson says it will be engaging with local industry to ensure involvement with as many locals as possible.

    During the construction period, there may be some temporary closure of the Naracoorte Town Hall while the work is completed on that aspect of the project and Council will inform the community leading into any phase of disruption or change to access to the area.

    Ormerod Street will see most of the construction activity, with the Mossop site office and laydown area primarily operating from this side of the Town Hall. Some pedestrian access will be modified, however Mossop and Council will work to ensure limited disruption to local businesses and access to that end of the street.