FAQs

The New Helensburgh Community Centre and Library will be centrally located on Walker Street, right in the heart of town beside the existing library. Because you asked for it, we've ensured it's adjacent to Helensburgh’s beautiful bushland combining convenience with natural charm. This central location offers easy access, parking, and is close to local amenities. The high-quality amenities make it a perfect hub for social, educational, and recreational activities. What sets this facility apart will be its modern, flexible design—thanks to strategically placed movable walls, it can transform from smaller spaces into larger integrated spaces catering to multiple activities at the same time. This means that it is far more versatile and capable of supporting a broader range of events and gatherings.

The new Community Centre and Library is being constructed because you asked for a modern, accessible, and multipurpose space that meets the growing needs of Helensburgh's population. The current facilities are outdated and inflexible. The new centre, with its high-quality amenities, will cater to future demands, offering a space that can accommodate a wide range of activities—from community meetings to fitness classes—while maintaining a strong connection to the town's heritage. The flexible design ensures that the new centre will serve more purposes, supporting the community in ways the old space simply could not.

The new Helensburgh Community Centre will feature a large hall with a capacity for over 200 people, kitchen facilities, air conditioning, Wi-Fi access, and AV equipment. Because you asked for it, we've designed spaces that allow for community meetings, fitness classes, and social events to happen simultaneously. Accessibility is a key focus, with modern amenities and flexible spaces such as meeting spaces, offices and study spaces that can adapt to the needs of the community, making this facility more versatile than the previous one.

Yes, the new Helensburgh Library will feature a significantly larger collection than the existing library. This expansion will include a wider range of books, digital resources, and multimedia, ensuring that the new facility meets the growing needs and interests of the community.

The centre will be designed in consultation with the RFS to address and mitigate the risk of bushfire on the facility, which will likely include the partial clearing of land to the east to form an Asset Protection Zone (APZ). Protected species will remain unaffected, although there may be some reduction to introduced and invasive species in the APZ. Council is also developing a management plan to explore ways to potentially reduce the size of the APZ, ensuring a careful balance between safety and environmental preservation.

Yes, parking and accessibility are key considerations in the planning process. Parking will be included onsite, including with accessible parking for people with disabilities, and will be easily accessible from the town centre. Site is near public transport; the centre will also connect to local bus routes. Council will explore parking options in the future including on the Community Centre site after demolition.

The timeline for completion has been influenced by several factors, including the challenges of site selection, ensuring the design meets all community and environmental needs, and securing necessary approvals. However, the Council remains committed to completing the project by Spring 2028, and regular updates will be provided to keep the community informed.

Yes, sustainability is at the heart of the project. The new centre will incorporate eco-friendly design principles, including energy-efficient lighting, water-saving features, and sustainable building materials. There will also be considerations for solar power, aimed at minimizing the centre’s environmental impact. These initiatives will ensure the centre aligns with the Council’s environmental commitments while creating a sustainable and eco-friendly space for the community.

The existing Helensburgh Library will continue to operate until the new Community Centre and Library opens, ensuring that community members still have access to essential services during the transition. The current Helensburgh Library land will then be sold, and the funds will be used to support the development of the new centre. We will ensure a smooth transition for all library services. 

Once the new facility is operational, the old community centre will be demolished. Options such as repurposing the site for parking or other community uses will be considered on how the space can best serve the community’s needs.  Additionally, it’s important to note that the Aboriginal Land Council has made a land claim on the Crown Land that is part of the current community centre site, which will be factored into any future plans for the area.

The new centre will be a versatile space capable of hosting a variety of events, including community meetings, fitness classes, social gatherings, business conferences, and private functions. Equipped with AV technology and a fully functional kitchen, it will be ideal for events ranging from small workshops to larger meetings.

Yes, there will be flexible spaces within the centre for local artists to display their work. The Council plans to engage the local arts community, ensuring the centre reflects Helensburgh’s artistic culture and provides a platform for exhibitions, performances, and creative workshops.

Absolutely. Accessibility is a key focus in the design of the new centre. It will include accessible parking, pathways, and entrances, as well as a fully accessible toilet. The building will be designed to ensure inclusivity for all community members, regardless of mobility or ability.

While the specific opening hours will be determined closer to completion, the new centre is expected to have extended hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate various community needs and events. The option of secure self-access is being considered to provide greater access to the community, with the potential for extended hours during key events or activities.

Maintenance will be part of the centre’s operational planning, ensuring it remains in excellent condition. Regular upkeep of both indoor and outdoor spaces will be carried out to maintain a welcoming environment.

Yes, the new centre will offer a range of cultural and educational programs, including workshops, author talks, fitness classes, and art exhibits. These programs will be developed based on community interests and will provide opportunities for learning and creativity.

Over the past few years, we have asked the community to provide their feedback on the look and feel or a new library and community centre.  This engagement is the final check in before the design is prepared and we move straight to construction. We also want to provide an opportunity for children, history buffs and the general community to ask questions and celebrate the start of the project.

Community members can get involved by visiting Council’s website, providing feedback through the survey and quick poll, or attending the public engagement sessions being held on:

• Wednesday 9 October at Otford Community Hall - drop in any time between 5.30 and 7pm 
• Thursday 17 October at Helensburgh Library - drop in any time between 9.30am and 5pm 
• Saturday 26 October at the Helensburgh Lions Club Fair at Charles Harper Park - drop in to the Council marquee

There will also be a presentation at the Neighbourhood Forum 1 9 October meeting at Otford Community Hall at 7pm on Wednesday 9 October 2024.

We’re inviting all children from the Helensburgh community to get creative and show us what inspires them about Helensburgh Library or the local area. Whether it’s a drawing of their favourite book, a special place in town, or their ideas for the future library, we’d love to see their artwork. 

To participate, simply visit Helensburgh Library to pick up some A4 paper and use our pencils and crayons to create your masterpiece. Be sure to complete and hand in your drawing to our friendly staff by 31 October 2024. 

All finished artworks will be proudly displayed in the library, and some may even be featured on the Council website. It’s a great way for kids to be a part of the future of Helensburgh Library & Community Centre.

Regular updates will be shared on the Council’s website, and there will be newsletters sent to key stakeholders. The community can also attend information sessions and follow the project’s progress through social media and local publications.

After the Opening of the new centre self-access will be introduced to enable flexible self-access that is safe for all library members.