Gosford Library’s future debated – but few can watch it unfold

Gosford library in Kibble Park

The second of three meetings to review the future of Gosford Library will be open to the public to observe – but there is room for only six people to watch the meeting.

And it won’t be livestreamed.

The meetings are being held in the library and, according to Central Coast Council, space is limited and there are technical limitations.

Councillors are reviewing Council’s adopted plans to demolish the current library in Gosford’s Kibble Park once the new regional library across the road is opened later this year.

The decision to demolish was made when Council was under administration, before the Coast voted in councillors late last year.

Historian Merril Jackson, the National Trust of Australia, and the Australian Institute of Architects have been invited to the meeting to be held at the library on Wednesday, February 12, from 6pm-8pm.

Public submissions are also being accepted.

The meeting will consider: the building’s heritage value; environmental impacts of its preservation/demolition; Council’s Kibble Park Place Plan which was adopted under administration; the second building in Kibble Park, the Parkhouse’s retention/demolition; and any other compliance/constraint issues.

The first meeting considered: the estimated cost of demolition; electrical maintenance costs and plan for location; clarification of change of use; condition of similar Council-owned buildings and their comparison to the existing Gosford Library; construction requirements to be in line with code; budget and estimates; commercial usage; and essential upgrades required.

The Council Review Committee consists of six councillors: Trent McWaide (Chair); Kyla Daniels; Rachel Stanton; Margot Castles; Jane Smith; and Kyle MacGregor.

The Minutes showed actions from the first meeting included providing the new councillors with the Kibble Park Masterplan and consultation report.

The first meeting of the panel was held in January and was not open to the public, despite the State Government imposed Performance Improvement Order on Council stating that briefings should generally be public unless the CEO decides information should remain confidential.

A Council spokesperson said the first meeting was not advertised due to the “very short timeframe” between Council returning after the Christmas/New Year break and the meeting date (January 21).   

“The remaining two Gosford Library Review Panel meetings will be open to the public, with the usual process of interested attendees registering to attend,” Council said.

“This is particularly necessary given the restricted space availability within the Gosford Library, where the meetings will be held.  

“More details will be posted on Council’s website in due course.”

The third and final meeting is expected to be held on Thursday, February 27, and a report will be tabled at the March ordinary council meeting.

Go online to keep up to date at www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/review-committee-current-library-building

Merilyn Vale

4 Comments on "Gosford Library’s future debated – but few can watch it unfold"

  1. If it walks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. Given the evidence this very much sounds like a done deal. Again we are saddled with a decision made by “the administrator”. For whose benefit was this decision made? I would not be surprised to see another white elephant being built on the site. This area belongs to the ratepayers. Surely the building could and should be saved and used to support the community. The remaining green space could be upgraded, providing a haven in the CBD for workers as well as families.
    I am not convinced by the reasons given to limit public access, both live or streamed. The problem would have been obvious so why not hold the meeting in a larger venue or at least resolve the “technical issues” preventing streaming.
    I did hold some hope that the people would again have a say in matters that concern them once the elections were held. It appears we should just go away and let others decide what is best for us.

  2. “Technical Limitations” What? A mobile phone could livestream the meeting. Doesn’t anyone in the Central Coast Council have a mobile phone? That excuse may have worked back in the days of wired internet but it’s 2025…

  3. Besides Henry Kendal cottage, what museums do we have in Gosford, the library could be used as a museum, to house and promote the history of Gosford and also used for other community organisations. Gosford is changing and we are losing the history, there is enough content avaiable to fill the space, local studies, shipbuilding, etc. I am hoping that the comments left here will be presented to the Councillors.

  4. Melissa bishop | February 7, 2025 at 4:21 pm | Reply

    What will be in its plaice anything else new and exciting ? If no it could be kept for market times, inside markets would be cute.

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