The new $52 million Brimbank civic centre is one step closer to becoming bricks and mortar after the council awarded the construction contract last week.
Kane Constructions Pty Ltd has been selected from 16 companies to build the seven-storey civic centre, which will centralise council operations at the Hampshire Road site.
The new centre will include an expanded library over two levels, a range of community and activity spaces, exhibition spaces, and tenant spaces for other organisations.
The council now has two municipal offices, at Sunshine and Keilor.
Demolition of the former Sunshine library and customer service centre has already begun, with construction set to start shortly.
The project is due to be completed by mid-2016.
Infrastructure and environment director Paul Younis said awarding of the construction tender was a major milestone for the project.
“The project will be completed on time and within budget,” Mr Younis said.
Meanwhile, the council is busy trying to work out best use of the Keilor municipal office after its operations relocate to the new centre.
A council customer service centre that offers tourist information, a relocated Keilor library, community space for Neighbourhood House activities and art studio spaces have been earmarked – after consultation with Keilor Village traders, service providers and community groups – as ideal uses for the site.
Brimbank administrators chairman John Watson said the council would now put out a draft plan for the Keilor site for community consultation before finalising plans in April next year.
“It’s important that the Keilor office building remains a community asset following the relocation of staff from Keilor to the Brimbank community and civic centre in Sunshine in 2016,” Mr Watson said.
A report tabled at last week’s council meeting anticipates the re-purposed building will be operational by 2017.
