Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn and Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell share a book with Sunshine residents Giang and daughter Sophia. Picture: CONTRIBUTED
By Laura Wakely
SUNSHINE Library is set for a $2.5 million expansion after an announcement in Brimbank last week.
Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell met with Brimbank City Council CEO Nick Foa and Chair of Administrator’s Peter Lewinsky to announce $1.25 million for the Sunshine Library.
The council matched the funds with their own $1.25 million contribution.
The funding will be used to expand the floor space by 500 square metres, with quiet reading and study rooms, a children’s room with touchscreen computers, a teenage zone, computer training room, wireless room and community learning and meeting spaces.
Ms Powell said the library was one of the busiest in Victoria, with more than 200 people visiting every hour.
“Libraries are the hub of so many communities, they’ve become community learning centres as well as just a place for books,” Ms Powell said.
“It’s like a big lounge room, it’s the communities big lounge room.”
Mr Lewinsky said the redevelopment would “fit beautifully” with Hampshire Square, which was completed last week.
“This will develop and extend the existing library for lifelong learning,” he said.
“We are actively working to create a large, integrated community precinct, located within the heart of the Sunshine Town Centre, that meets the needs of the community.
“Council’s vision is that in 2030, the Sunshine Town Centre will be one of Melbourne’s premier multi-functional activity centres.”
Stage one of the project is expected to begin in November 2012 and open in 2013.
The council also plans to develop maternal and child health and create an additional community space above the library, subject to future funding.
Sunshine Library was one of 10 libraries to receive Government funding, with Melton Library also receiving a $1.25 million share. Melton will use the funding boost to create an integrated learning space with training areas, a divisible activity room, a theatre-style seminar space and audio-visual recording facilities to develop digital content and local history.
