Should it stay or should it go?

Have your say on whether we demolish or retain the existing library building.

Help us decide the future of the current Gosford Library building!

Background

The existing Gosford Library, constructed in 1969, is located on a 1,645m² site within Kibble Park. During the adoption of the Kibble Park Place Plan at the September Council Meeting 2023, a resolution was adopted to demolish the existing Gosford library building to improve the safety and security in the park by increasing line of sight while providing essential open space, which aligned with the sentiment we received during other Gosford-based community consultations including "Let’s Talk Gosford", and "Safer Cities: Her Way".

In November 2024, Council passed a Notice of Motion to set up a Review Panel. This panel would look into the current plan to demolish the building for more open space, consider the possibility of reusing the building, and stop all proposed demolition work. The Review Committee met three times to discuss whether to keep or demolish the existing library. They looked at various factors, including:

  • Heritage value
  • Alternative uses for the building
  • Costs to upgrade to meet building codes
  • Changes needed for adaptive reuse
  • Ongoing maintenance and depreciation costs
  • Revisiting the Kibble Park masterplan
  • Need for public open space in Gosford CBD

Since the library’s original design and construction, multiple new standards and codes of practice are required for buildings to meet compliance standards. Therefore, the existing Gosford Library contains multiple instances of non-compliance which would require costly upgrades to rectify.

With the future of the site now being reviewed, we are now seeking feedback and input from you.

What are we seeking from you?

We want your feedback on the future of the current Gosford Library building, located at Kibble Park in the Gosford CBD.

The construction of the new Gosford Regional Library is nearing completion which presents an opportunity to reimagine the use of this prime-time location in the heart of Gosford.

Your feedback will help shape the decision-making process and ensure that the outcome aligns with the community’s needs and aspirations.

What have you already told us?

We have been engaging with you about projects in Gosford for many years throughout consultations including Let’s Talk Gosford, Kibble Park Place Plan and Safer Cities: Her Way. Here are some of the things you have shared with us that relate to this project.

In recent consultations relating to Gosford CBD, themes of safety, delivering community services and financial responsibility have been raised.

Some community members have said they are in favour of demolishing the current library building to free up the site to be turned into open greenspace in the Gosford CBD, enhancing social meeting spaces, walking paths or outdoor community facilities. They feel the building is dated and taking up valuable open space that could be transformed into a thriving, community-focused and safe greenspace.

Meanwhile, some community members have voiced their desire to retain the existing library building, due to its historical significance which provides brutalist architectural features in Gosford’s CBD. They feel the building could be upgraded to meet safety and compliance standards and be repurposed into a new community asset.

What options can we have our say on?

Libraries have evolved and adapted over time, and the current Gosford Library at Kibble Park in the Gosford CBD has been a valued part of the community. However, with the construction of the new Gosford Regional Library and its expanded facilities and services, it’s time to consider the future of the existing library building. The building requires significant upgrades to remain functional, and changing community needs mean it may be time to explore new possibilities.

Two options are being considered – each option comes with benefits and challenges including financial costs, environmental impacts, heritage considerations and long-term community needs.

The two options are:

  • Demolishing the building

    • The new Gosford Regional Library will provide extensive and expanded, state-of-the-art library services and community meeting spaces to Gosford
    • Creates additional open space, green parkland, paths or outdoor community facilities in a high-density area
    • Provides an open view of Kibble Park - enhancing safety in Gosford
    • Enhances liveability and provides public gathering spaces and access to well-designed outdoor areas to maximise health outcomes
    • Demolition is a one-off cost of approximately $485,000

  • Retaining the building

    • The building could be repurposed for local activities
    • Community feedback notes the historical significance of the current library
    • Alternative uses could include:
      • co-working spaces
      • commercial opportunities
      • arts and cultural facilities
      • multi-purpose community hubs.
    • Retaining and modernising the building allows it to continue serving the community
    • Keeping the building would cost approximately $4.2 million to remediate and make the building compliant with additional maintenance costs each year

Submissions will be accepted between 14 May 2025 and 11 June 2025, by either:

  • online: submission form (located below),
  • email: engageme@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or
  • post: PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259.

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