Central Coast Council’s plan to demolish the Gosford Library building and replace it with a water feature and green space is presented as a commitment to sustainability.
However, this proposal rings hollow when viewed alongside the Council’s actions to sell off or reclassify other significant community and environmental assets, such as the reserve at 23 Memorial Ave, Blackwall.
True environmental stewardship means preserving the green spaces we already have, not token gestures of “greening” one area while allowing significant natural assets to be lost elsewhere.
Gosford Library, an iconic modernist structure with cultural and heritage value, could be repurposed into a vibrant community space.
Replacing it with artificial green space does not make up for the Council’s willingness to sacrifice valuable natural ecosystems and trees for short-term development gains.
For example, the wetlands and bushland currently under threat provide critical habitats for wildlife, mitigate flooding and contribute to the biodiversity of the Central Coast.
By reclassifying community land to operational status for potential sell-offs, the Council further erodes the public’s trust and strips communities of shared natural and civic resources.
If the Council is serious about sustainability and providing green spaces, it should focus on protecting the precious ones we already have.
The proposed demolition of the library is a wasteful and unnecessary move, particularly when the funds could be redirected toward adaptive reuse of the building, which aligns with both environmental and heritage principles.
Creating artificial green spaces by destroying existing infrastructure while simultaneously endangering wetlands and bushland is not only hypocritical but also counterproductive to the Council’s stated goals of sustainability.
The community deserves better than token gestures and double standards.
Email, Dec 16
Lisa Bellamy, Kariong
Well said Lisa!
Enough of the greenwashing from all government levels & time for real action to protect the interconnected biodiversity that actually gives and sustains life on earth- including our own!
Stop clearing environmentally sensitive land and use what is already developed for housing.
So very true Lisa, well said.
Council needs to wake up , there was previously a water feature in Kibble Park and there is greening there and the library should stay for its iconic architectural and culture heritage and should be repurposed for community use ,as you stated totally unnecessary and wasteful to demolish it.
As most of us are aware we must protect our precious environment for now and the future generations. Once destroyed can never be replaced.
Further to my comment 3January I should have clarified that there is currently a water activity and feature in Kibble Park although of a minor nature and usage questionable.
I still confirm my concerns for the future of the library building which should be retained and utilised as previously stated by myself and many others in the community.