The location of the future Helensburgh Community Centre & Library has been announced as 53-55 Walker Street, Helensburgh. Pictured at the site are (from left): Cr David Brown, Wollongong City Council director community services Kerry Hunt, Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Tania Brown, Wollongong Lord Mayor Cr Gordon Bradbery AM and Cr Cameron Walters. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
A new library is on the agenda for Helensburgh, and patrons won’t have to go far.
Wollongong City Council has announced the site of the new facility will be 53-55 Walker Street, a vacant block of land next to the current library.
The land for the new facility and community centre is already owned by the council. Construction is expected to begin in August 2027.
“This will be positive news for the local community who are aware that council has been working for some time on plans for a new facility for the suburb,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.
“It will be a similar concept to the well-loved combined community centre and library facilities in Thirroul and Corrimal.
“The intention is for it to be designed to provide flexible spaces as well as a library and a social space. It’ll be for the community to hire for meetings, dance classes or even birthday parties.
“Its central location in Helensburgh’s CBD means it also provides opportunities for people to visit the centre in addition to their day-to-day activities like visiting the local shops, cafes and restaurants.’’
Now the future centre’s site has been announced, the council will begin the planning and design process, including tests to see whether soil remediation will be necessary.
A council spokesperson said once the new integrated community centre and library had been constructed, the adjoining land where the current library stands would be sold, with funds from the sale going towards the cost of the new facility.
The council has also shared an update on the closed community centre.
From 2025, the portion of the centre that directly fronts Walker Street will reopen temporarily to provide additional meeting spaces in the suburb.
“While we’re working on these long-term plans, we know there is the challenge of providing alternative meeting rooms in the short term for the community,’’ Cr Bradbery said.
“We’ve been able to establish that the centre’s mould issues have a number of contributing factors.
“In the coming months, repairs will start on the youth rooms portion of the building as this is where it has been established the mould was connected to roofing problems. Once the repair and remediation of this section has been completed, it can be reopened.
“This will no doubt be good news for the community, who will have two meeting rooms and an office that will be available for hire from 1 January, 2025.’’
The stage, main hall and rooms linked to the main entry foyer will remain closed and off-limits.
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