(13 August 2015) New state-of-the-art modern library services are now available to readers in Reservoir, Victoria, Australia, with the $8.4 million redevelopment of the Reservoir Community and Learning Centre now open.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the Australian Government had provided $3 million towards the expansion of the Community Centre to enable housing of the library.
“The Australian Government is committed to building infrastructure that supports and strengthens communities around Australia,” Mr Truss said.
“In Reservoir, the community centre has been reconstructed with a strong focus on providing family services, including library loans, maternal child and health services and youth services.”
Victorian Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins said it was exciting to see the building now complete after an exhaustive and detailed planning, design and construction process.
“Libraries are the heart and soul of many communities, and the Victorian Government is committed to delivering and supporting these important services,” Ms Hutchins said.
“This redevelopment will be warmly welcomed by residents and includes a new building, landscaping and paving to bring the adjacent Laneway in to the Centre’s space.”
Mayor of Darebin City Council Steven Tsitas said the new building was visually very impressive and would be an iconic landmark in the community.
“The Reservoir Library is expected to attract around 12,000 additional visitors every month,” Cr Tsitas said.
“The Reservoir economy has also benefitted from the project, with around 100 jobs created during the centre’s construction phase, and five ongoing positions created since completion. I want to thank the local community and businesses in Edwardes Street for their support and patience while works were underway.”
In addition to building works, the council closed an adjacent laneway to make it pedestrian friendly, built a new Cenotaph and completed beautification works including tree planting in the surrounding area.
Construction of the redevelopment began in January 2014 and was funded with $3 million from the Australian Government, $1.06 million from the Victorian Government and $4.35 million from Darebin City Council.
Read the press release.
