Business and education groups have backed a new Hervey Bay Library and Fraser Coast Regional Council Administration Centre being built in Main Street in Pialba.

Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Holebrook said a revitalized city centre would have “significant economic benefits for the community” and “attract businesses, entrepreneurs and investors”.

“This concentration of commercial activity would provide an opportunity for local businesses to thrive, resulting in increased employment opportunities for the region,” she said.

“The area would become a vibrant hub of activity, attracting people from all walks of life. This increased pedestrian and drive traffic would create a demand for retail, dining and entertainment establishments, further enhancing the local economy.”

Urban Development Institute of Australia Fraser Coast Branch President Megan Kraft said the new building would provide a “catalyst for the revitalisation of the city centre, including connection to the existing City Park and Regional Gallery through to the Esplanade”.

“Council provides a service to the community and their employees’ ability to work in appropriate facilities is vital in achieving great outcomes for the community,” she said.

“It will also act as an attractor for talent to join Council, knowing that they will have a modern, state-of-the-art workplace with a focus on community as well as the ability to collaborate across the organisation.”

Fraser Coast Property Industry Association Vice President David Buckley said the Fraser Coast needed the development to go ahead for both the services that will be provided and the additional private infrastructure and investment that will flow from a centralized workforce and revitalised City Centre.

“This is a rare generational opportunity that our region has failed to grasp in the past,” he said.

“In many years to come, we expect the popularity of the vibrant City Centre anchored by this foundational project will give Councillors cause to look back on this time served on the Fraser Coast Regional Council as contributing to make the Fraser Coast a better place to live.”

State Librarian and State Library of Queensland CEO Vicki McDonald said the new library facility would provide a “more contemporary environment and community hub” and ensure the community continued to receive access to free, high-quality library programs and services.

“The new library facility provides the opportunity to make sure that collection items are reachable without excessive bending or stretching, and to provide suitable space for wheelchairs, mobility aids and prams to manoeuvre between aisles,” she said.

“This is important to ensure welcoming, safer and barrier-free access to library collections, particularly for older people and people with a disability.”

University of the Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast Head of Campus Michelle Hay said the “transformative project” would “enhance the lifestyle for Hervey Bay residents” and have “far reaching positive impacts for our community beyond the employment generated by its construction”.

“The proposed location of the new library and administration centre is strategically chosen as it is easily accessible, and its prime location will contribute to the rejuvenation of the city centre,” she said.

“This provides a key destination to attract residents and visitors, boosting economic growth and tourism opportunities on the Fraser Coast with potential to increase work integrated learning and/or paid employment options for students.

“Upon Council’s exit of the current library space, the University of the Sunshine Coast looks forward to continuing to work together to explore potential education opportunities for the benefit of the community and to improve lifelong learning on the Fraser Coast.”

The business and education groups wrote letters to Council in support of the project, which were included in a report to today’s Council meeting.

More detail about the project is available on Council’s Engagement Hub website at: https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/hervey-bay-library-administration-centre-inc-disaster-resilience-centre