Possible reprieve for Gosford Library

The Gosford Library building in Kibble Park might yet be saved, with a review ordered into its proposed demolition.

The building was slated for demolition when the new regional library being built across the road is completed early in 2025.

The demolition was a decision made by the former Administrator but the councillors – in their second ordinary meeting since being elected – voted for a review at the November 26 meeting.

Councillor Margot Castles put forward a motion item asking for a quick review led by interested councillors to cover: the building’s heritage value; community opportunities for its ongoing use; and environmental benefits of its preservation.

CEO David Farmer countered with a competing motion for a report covering costs to bring the building up to current National Construction Code requirements including: disability access;. ongoing maintenance costs; safety; heritage significance and any other constraints as well as opportunities for its ongoing use an the environmental benefits of its preservation.

Castle’s motion won, unanimously, in a rare show of agreement from all 15 councillors.

So far, in most major decisions, the vote has split 8-7 with the Liberals and Team Central Coast making up the eight and the Labor and two independents with seven.

Two speakers addressed the public forum with a number of reasons why the current library should be kept after the new regional library is finished.

Historian Merril Jackson explained what the Sydney Opera House and the Gosford Library had in common – the same mid-century structural engineers.

“Gosford Library brought together a unique collaboration of mid-century architectural and building professionals from Sydney and Canberra,” Jackson said.

“Despite Gosford’s rural location, the use of groundbreaking modernist techniques, applications and materials directly associate to other iconic modernist buildings (such as) The National Carillon, the Academy of Science and Australia Square.”

Resident Joy Cooper said the community has been told the cost of keeping the library building is too high but Council staff have never produced or released any details. 

“It is interesting that we have not been told about the almost $4M that has been spent on ‘improvements’ to this Wyong Civic Centre building,” Cooper said.

“Apart from a few new towers of Babylon, Gosford remains a dead city with a dead heart.

“It needs multiple community buildings with multiple purposes to bring people back into its heart. 

“Many generations now have memories of growing up with the Gosford Library building and we know they are enthusiastic about seeing it retained, as integral to the future vision of what Gosford could be.”

The report to the councillors said the building was no longer needed and past its use by date.

The existing Gosford Library opened in 1969, and according to CEO David Farmer has served the community well and is now past its useful life for its intended purpose. 

Recently the Heritage Council of NSW rejected a proposal for the building to be listed on the State Heritage register and recommended that Council consider whether it should be listed on its local register.

After the meeting, Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the original decision to demolish the building had been made by the Administrator on advice from Council staff.

“But councillors were unanimous that a full valuation is needed to bring us up to speed before any final decision is made,” he said.

“Staff need to look at all costs involved – what it would cost to knock it down against what it would cost to keep it.”

McKinna said possible future rental from community groups also needed to be taken into account in determining the library’s fate.

“We need all information on the table so we can make a proper decision,” he said.

Merilyn Vale and Terry Collins