Residents determined to see Central Coast Council retain the current Gosford Library building staged a snap action on Monday, April 22, to protest its proposed demolition.
Speakers outlined why the building should be maintained and presented several different options for adaptive re-use, including a heritage museum a, tourism office and a kids’ creche.
Central Coast Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) convenor Mark Ellis said built heritage was just as important as natural heritage.
He accused Council of disregarding the Central Coast Local Environment Plan (LEP), which states as one of its objectives to “conserve the heritage significance of heritage items”.
He said the Government Architect had said the library could be re-purposed for a possible town hall, meeting place, flexible exhibition space or a new cafe integrated with Kibble Park.
“There needs to be ongoing community discussions about Kibble Park and any thought of demolishing the library,” he said.
“Gosford, as the regional capital, needs a civic heart – and since the previous council building is to be sold off, the re-purposed library building could play a significant part of the new civic heart within and surrounding Kibble Park.
“Gosford has lost much of its built past due to poor decisions by the council.
“Let’s not continue this poor form.
“The community wants to know why the application for tenders have been called for when the final Kibble Park plan hasn’t been put out for consultation.
“We request the Administrator withdraw the advertisements for tender … and put all other actions impacting Kibble Park on hold until a democratically elected Council is in place.”
Community activist Joy Cooper said the library building had links to notable significant buildings of the time including the Sydney Opera House.
“(This) is an iconic building in Gosford,” she said.
“It is located on community classified land, yet there has been very flimsy consultation with the community.
“Only a few years ago the building had the roof replaced and the NSW Architect was clear in his report that the building was of value and benefit to the community.
“It is part of Gosford’s identity and needs to be preserved.
“Gosford has a shortage of community buildings available for community use and even with the new library, there is a need to retain this lovely iconic building.
“Many cities around the world now are seeing the benefits of adaptive re-use and Central Coast Council needs to be embracing the forward thinking.”
A petition calling for retention of the building has so far attracted more than 400 signatures.
It can be found at https://chng.it/FNkwFDkmZP
Just build something with a classy ambiance and and venue that will entice entertainers,musicians,lovers of fine food … and most importantly… a sense of community .
If the building is sound and could be refitted for an office of Tourism it would bring people to heart of Gosford City boosting local cafe and eatery trade. The park would allow families to have a picnic and children to run around and play before heading off to check out our local beaches, waterways, riding paths and all our lovely Central Coast has to offer. A Heritage Museum could be connected to the Pffice of Tourism sharing the space and effectively cutting running costs. Parking is and has been a major issue in Gosford for years so some con sessions would need to be made to provide the short term parking for drop ins.
It is just a brick building!! If anyone is ever going to fix kibble park I say grab the sledge hammers
This was an award winning design from the 60s. Our Council has never put any value on buildings of historical significance. This building is worth the trouble of being maintained and repurposed.
As far as I know there are two Tourist Offices on the Central Coast – Ettalong & at The Entrance. One in Gosford in the library building, together with a café would be fabulous. The toilets are already in place and people can enjoy the park. The building space is big enough to accommodate something else as well to showcase our area.
Gosford Council needs to have a HEART! COMMUNITY HEART! This Library has ‘ multifunctional refurbished ‘ options to attract Tourists, community and bring people together. This SITE IS VALUABLE ASSESET for council and the people in Gosford and abroad.