Swish new Sunshine library on the way

AN expanded Sunshine library is expected to open within three years.

A design contract for the $55 million Brimbank Community and Civic Centre – including an upgraded library, additional meeting rooms, customer service centre, exhibition spaces and council offices at the current library site – was last week awarded to Lyons, the company that has worked on high-profile projects at La Trobe University, Melbourne University and RMIT.

Council chairman John Watson said residents could expect a state-of-the-art library and community space.

“The project is truly an all-round win for all residents,” he said. “It provides an opportunity to do a much better upgrade of the Sunshine library, add more community meeting space, and be located in an area that is best serviced by public transport.”

Mr Watson said the project would free up a municipal building in Keilor for community use. Infrastructure and environment director Paul Younis said the council would assemble a group to engage the community on issues of design and user needs.

“Following the endorsement of terms of reference at a future council meeting, we will be advertising for expressions of interest for this group,” he said.

Mr Younis said the council would seek tenant partners for the development and had already committed $1.2 million in this year’s budget towards the development.