By NOEL MURPHY
GEELONG’S new $45 million library-heritage centre is off to a controversial start, with council’s heritage portfolio holder demanding answers over Geelong Gallery gatecrashing the centre’s ground floor.
A sod-turning ceremony on Tuesday offically launched work on the centre, which is set to “share” 220 square metres of first-floor space with the gallery indefinitely.
The Independent revealed the arrangement last week.
But heritage councillor Tony Ansett this week said he wanted written assurances the proposed “temporary solution” to the gallery’s space shortage would not become permanent.
“It can’t be wholly and solely for the art gallery,” Cr Ansett said.
“There’s some shared space in the centre but it’s not meant to be 100 per cent for the art gallery.
“I’ve been told this by council managers but I’m seeking assurances in writing because at the moment it seems the art gallery has got it all the time.”
Cr Ansett said the new centre’s ground floor should be utilised for showcases of local museum and heritage bodies.
Council expects the dome-shaped six-storey library and heritage centre to draw as many as 100,000 patrons a year.
Geelong Gallery has assumed plum position in the centre while developing a business case and expansion options to tackle a lack of space for exhibitions.
In the meantime, Geelong Cement Retirees Museum, housed in an 1855 heritage-listed former orphanage, has been forced to stop public access to its 28-room collection due to deteriorating building conditions and a lack of funding for repairs.
Museum spokesman Graeme Parker said the facility housed many private collections, such as items from local primary schools closed under the Kennett Government.
“It’s been a repository for people with nowhere else to go,” Mr Parker said.
“They all thought they’d be able able to stay there forever.”
Mayor Darryn Lyons said the new library and heritage centre would be “light years away from a traditional library” and “an attraction in its own right for its cutting-edge architecture and eye-catching dome”.
“The design is a conversation starter and will generate positive talk about Geelong and our boldness and willingness to step up and try different things,” he said.
