Big queue for $45m project

By John Van Klaveren
CONTRACTS for Geelong’s $45 million library and heritage centre project have attracted large fields of contenders, according to City Hall.
The City recently awarded a $210,000 contract to Slattery Australia as one of 12 firms competing for the project’s quantity surveyor role.
The project manager contract attracted a field of 19 candidates, while 32 firms are vying for the architectural design services contract.
Acting Mayor Cr Cameron Granger said the project represented one of the City’s largest capital projects.
“The significant funding contributions made by all levels of government are testament to the importance of the project to the Geelong community,” Cr Granger said.
“We are in the final stages of appointing a project manager and currently reviewing the tenders received for architectural design.
“Once the appointments are made work will commence on the planning and design phases of the project.”
City of Greater Geelong has contributed $20 million to the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre. State and federal governments have contributed $15 million and $10 million respectively.
Council adopted the project as its number-one funding priority when seeking funding from higher levels of government.
Council argued that the city’s population had outgrown the 50-year-old library, which it expected to attract as many as one million visitors annually within five years.
The redeveloped facility will include a full library with internet access, reading and multimedia collections, community spaces and zones for children and adolescents. The upgraded heritage centre component will have improved storage and display facilities.
Council has also revealed investigations into including a cafe and retail space within the project.