Review Committee – Current Library Building - 7 Aug 2025 5:00 PM

Key decisions

• Future of existing Gosford Library escalated to Council
  The committee noted consultation outcomes and endorsed escalating the future of the existing library at 118 Donnison Street, Gosford, to full Council for a decision.
  Residents can expect the final decision on the building’s future to be made by Council rather than at committee level.
• Recommendation to retain and repurpose the library building
  The committee recommended pursuing commercial or community use for the building, revising the Kibble Park Place Plan, and retaining the library while feasibility and funding for repurposing are considered.
  This points toward reuse of the building instead of demolition, which may affect community access, local services, and the Gosford town centre.
• Recommendation to rescind demolition decision and seek heritage protection
  The committee recommended that Council rescind any decision to demolish the existing Gosford library building and apply for heritage protection.
  If adopted by Council, this would protect the building from demolition and could preserve a recognised local asset.
• Recommendation to make building available for community use
  The committee recommended that Council explore making the existing building available for appropriate community uses, such as meetings, as soon as possible.
  This could create earlier public access to the site for local groups and community activities.
• Recommendation to retain demolition funding for capital works
  The committee recommended that funding allocated for demolition be retained or restricted for capital works on the existing library building.
  This signals a possible shift in spending from demolition toward upgrading or adapting the existing building.
• Recommendation to continue committee oversight and include Parkhouse building
  The committee recommended continuing this committee or creating another councillor group to consider the building’s long-term use, and supported the future of the Parkhouse building being considered subject to funding and community consultation.
  Further review means residents may have additional opportunities to influence long-term plans for these Gosford civic buildings.

Important topics

• Community consultation outcomes
  Consultation on the future use of the existing library building was formally noted as the basis for further Council consideration.
  Shows that community feedback has informed the next stage of decision-making.

Resident impacts

• The existing Gosford Library building is being recommended for retention rather than demolition.
• Council will be asked to consider heritage protection for the building.
• Demolition funding may be redirected to capital works on the existing building.
• The site may be opened for suitable community uses before long-term plans are finalised.
• Further Council and possibly committee review is expected before final long-term outcomes are settled.

Places affected

• 118 Donnison Street, Gosford (facility)
  Site of the existing library building under review for retention, reuse, heritage protection, and possible capital works.
• Gosford (suburb/town centre)
  Locality affected by decisions about the future use of the existing library building and related planning.
• Kibble Park (project area)
  The Kibble Park Place Plan was recommended to be revised in connection with the library building’s future.
• Parkhouse building (facility)
  Its future was recommended to be considered by this committee or a replacement group, subject to funding and consultation.

Next steps

• Council to decide the future of the existing Gosford Library building after receiving the committee’s recommendations.
  Next Council consideration; date not specified
• Council to consider rescinding any demolition decision and applying for heritage protection.
  At future Council decision-making; date not specified
• Council to explore interim community use options for the building.
  As soon as possible
• Council to consider retaining or restricting demolition funding for capital works on the existing building.
  At future budget or project decision-making; date not specified
• Committee oversight to continue or be replaced by another councillor group for long-term usage review.
  Future Council decision; date not specified

Extracted minutes text

- 1 - Central Coast Council Review Committee – Current Library Building Held in the Council Chamber 2 Hely Street, Wyong 07 August 2025 MINUTES Attendance Members Status Councillor Trent McWaide Present (remotely) Councillor Margot Castles (Chair) Present Councillor Jane Smith Present Councillor Kyle MacGregor Present Councillor Kyla Daniels Present Councillor Rachel Stanton Present Councillor Guests Status Deputy Mayor Doug Eaton OAM Present (remotely) Councillor Helen Crowley Present Councillor Corrine Lamont Present (remotely) Councillor Belinda Neal Present Councillor Sharon Walsh Present Staff Status Melanie Smith, Director Community and Recreation Services Present Boris Bolgoff, Direc...