Wendouree Library and Learning Centre

The City of Ballarat is seeking federal and state government funding support to bring forward delivery of a new library and learning centre in Wendouree. 

Described as transformational, a new Wendouree Library and Learning Centre would serve about 41,000 residents living in the northern part of the municipality. 

A new purpose-built space will offer a wider range of library services, Parent Place services, community study, activity and relaxation spaces, a café and free WiFi; and allow an increased number of literacy and life skills programs to be scheduled. 

Need 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said a new library and learning centre in the north of the municipality is long overdue. 

“As the city will grow more to the north over the next several years following rezoning of the northern growth corridor, future residents will need easy access to library and community services this new centre will provide. It’s important all levels of government work together to get ahead of the growth and prepare for the services more residents will need. 

“It will replace the existing much-loved Wendouree Library which is in a re-purposed shopfront in the nearby shopping centre,” he said. 

“It’s an extremely popular library but is too small to deliver a full range of library services for residents. It lacks toilets, meeting spaces and only has three computers available to the public.   

“A new Wendouree Library and Learning Centre will become a gathering place and learning space for residents of all ages.” 

George Nooromplakal and his young family are regular visitors to the existing Wendouree Library. They’ve been part of the ongoing community consultation and are excited by the prospect of a new purpose-built facility. 

“The Wendouree Library is an important part of our life. The plans for the library are breathtaking,” Mr Nooromplakal said. 

Location 

Proposed to be built at Wendouree’s Weeramar Park, the new Wendouree Library and Learning Centre will provide important community facilities for people living in Alfredton, Lake Gardens, Lake Wendouree, Miners Rest, Mt Rowan, Wendouree and Wendouree West – including the 15,000 residents who will move to the city’s new Northern Growth Zone. 

Planning Ahead 

City of Ballarat Director of Community Wellbeing, Matthew Wilson said the project is an important element of City of Ballarat’s Community Infrastructure Plan 2022-2037, adopted by Council in July this year. 

“A new library and learning centre will allow us to offer new literacy, wellbeing and complementary learning programs in a safe, easily accessible space,” Mr Wilson said.  

“We’ll also be able to increase the number of family-specific programs like Storytime, Little Languages and Baby Bounce. 

“Lead by City of Ballarat’s Executive Manager Libraries and Lifelong Learning Jenny Fink and her team a lot of work has gone into getting the project to this stage. We have concept designs, and we are in the middle of extensive community consultation on the project. 

“However at this stage Council has not budgeted for the project in the short term. Design work is currently scheduled for 2029/30 financial year and construction for 2031/32.” 

Funding Support 

Cr Moloney said support from the federal and state governments could see the project brought forward. 

“Currently costed at $23 million, a project of this size and importance is best delivered with funding from all three levels of government,” he said. 

“A partnership of that kind would mean construction could begin before the end of the decade to help meet the rapidly growing demand in the area and relieve pressure on the existing Wendouree Library. 

“Without financial support from other levels of government construction will not begin until at least the 2031/32 financial year.”