Endorsed by Adam Searle, Alison McLaren, Daniel Myles, Fiona Creed, Mark Greenhill, Terri Hamilton
A new city headquarters library, local studies and local heritage exhibition space. As per the consultant's report the minimum area that is acceptable to the councillors is 1850m2 (library) + 280 m2 (local studies and heritage exhibition).
The current Springwood library is too small to meet the needs of the community. Refurbishment is not an option as the library is approximately one-third the size it should be. The local studies section is difficult to use and is currently a missed opportunity for the council to show case our local heritage. Other councils such as Parramatta have developed a permanent heritage exhibition which is popular with both locals and tourists. The current library does not have adequate study space, particularly for students and this needs to be considered in the development of the proposal for a new library. As the library headquarters for the Blue Mountains, the Springwood Library should be a facility that the council can be proud of and one that adequately meets the needs of the local community thus contributing to improved educational and cultural outcomes for the area.
A new purpose built performance centre with seating for up to 600. The lower mountains does not currently have a purpose built performance centre. The current Civic Centre does not provide an optimal environment for live performances and organizations such as the Blue Mountains Musical Society utilize temporary apparatus for seating, lighting, stage work and changing facilities. This is not acceptable and should be addressed in the revitalization program through a dedicated performance centre. Council should look at the new Q Theatre as an example of the space required for Springwood.
A co-located Neighbourhood Centre, Multipurpose facility and Youth hub. As per the consultants report the minimum space acceptable to the councillors is 220m2. The existing Neighbourhood Centre can not cater to the needs of all organizations that deserve access to council owned space. With an ageing population, the council has a responsibility to ensure that the Neighbourhood Centre can adequately support service organizations. The Multipurpose Centre will be an important facility that can be used by a range of organizations including Senior Citizens Dance Groups and Community organisations requiring meeting space. The provision of appropriate kitchen facilities will be necessary to ensure that this facility will be a genuine multipurpose centre. Springwood is the ideal location for a Youth Hub due to its proximity to public transport. The lower mountains has a significant youth population as evidenced by three public and two private high schools. To ensure that our young people are properly serviced a Youth Hub must be a priority for council in any negotiations for new community facilities.
Investigate commercial opportunities for the council as part of the revitalization as per consultant's priority 9. It is well documented that council faces significant financial challenges. Council has demonstrated its ability to run a successful and profitable business operation at the Lower Mountains Fitness and Aquatic Centre. The revitalization of Springwood offers opportunities for council to develop a business that will not only improve the amenity of the Springwood area but offer an additional income stream to the council. Opportunities for a retail or hospitality business located within the Civic precinct should be examined as a priority.
Plan for pocket parks as per consultant's priority 8. The provision of appropriate and safe play equipment for local families to use in the heart of Springwood should also be a priority for the council. The social benefits for parents and children you use parks are well documented. Council has a social responsibility to ensure adequate play facilities exist in areas with a high volume of children.
The former Integral Energy site is not to be included as part of this process. This site has been the subject of separate considerations and should remain a separate proposal for council to consider.
The location of community facilities should not be limited to the current site. It is important that council retains the option of the southern car park as the civic heart of Springwood. Any documentation must specify the requirement that the vista from the town square is retained. Council should consider the opportunity presented in the revitalization to expand the community space in this location.
Council should seek new community facilities for Springwood to service the communities of the lower mountains. Refurbishment will not be able to deliver the appropriate facilities that are required by the community. Residents of the lower mountains deserve to have the same quality of facilities as residents of the upper mountains. The Springwood Civic Centre is ten years older than the Katoomba Civic Centre which is being demolished as part of the Cultural Centre development. It is unreasonable to expect lower mountains residents to settle for second rate facilities.
The construction of new facilities will allow BMCC to become a leader in environmentally efficient operations. It is not feasible to air condition the current Civic Centre without considerable environmental (and cost) impacts. New facilities would be designed to be energy efficient and could utilize renewable energy sources such as solar. We should not compromise the good work undertaken by the council to reduce energy consumption by accepting a proposal to air condition an antiquated facility.