Rupanyup Library Upgrade Gets Green Light
Published on 30 September 2022
Rupanyup Library Precinct Gets The Green Light
Yarriambiack Shire Council is thrilled to announce the successful funding application to reactivate the old Shire Office in Rupanyup. Council has been successful in obtaining $578,163 of funding through the 2022-23 Living Libraries Infrastructure Program for the Dunmunkle Community Library Precinct Project.
The project will include the demolition and removal of the external toilet block and covered way, the removal of all external cladding, internal wall linings. The remaining structure and fabric provide a valuable framework to which a new facility can be constructed.
Yarriambiack Shire Council Mayor Councillor Kylie Zanker said, “Repurposing old building such as the Shire Office in Rupanyup provides a cost-effective way of improving services in our smaller communities. Developing a community library precinct with expanded hours of operation will provide a place where our communities across Rupanyup, Minyip, Murtoa, and Lubeck can feel empowered and supported”.
The redeveloped space will be an interactive community library precinct utilising indoor and outdoor space that will provide multi-purpose facility that can facilitate classes, information sessions, makerspace for arts and craft activities, book clubs, events, early years programs, and social gatherings for shared learning opportunities. The building will have all-abilities access to enhance inclusion. New amenities and toilets for all ages and abilities will be constructed under the existing roofline by retrofitting several underutilised cupboards.
“This project aims to address the disadvantage in the community by reducing barriers and enhancing social and well-being outcomes for residents. As a significantly disadvantaged community, our people experience barriers, where they lack access to public transport and community facilities to enhance and improve their wellbeing outcomes. The redeveloped Precinct will enable our Shire to address the barriers to disadvantage by running programs that bring people together, providing opportunities for social connection, and building their skills, including literacy and digital literacy outcomes”, Cr Zanker said.
Council has experienced a significant increase in people borrowing books and utilising the library services. In the last 12 months, 288 in-person visits have been achieved to attend the Rupanyup library depot, 61 visits to the Murtoa library depot, and 163 to the Minyip depot. All three library depots are currently serviced by the Words on Wheels van that provides a book exchange service and is serviced only 1-2 hours per week.
It is planned that the Precinct will go from being open a few hours a week, to four full days per week. The construction will create approximately 3 to 4 jobs, along with creating one part-time (approx. 30 hours per week) position.
“This is such an exciting project for the Rupanyup and wider Dunmunkle community where we can preserve the history of the old Shire Office and repurpose to meet the current and future needs of the community. Council is committed to improving the lives of our residents, providing them with opportunities to increase their social well-being, and health including mental health outcomes, along with educational and learning outcomes”, Cr Zanker added.
It is anticipated that this project will be completed by the end of 2023. For more information about the Dunmunkle Library Community Precinct Project visit Council’s website https://www.yarriambiack.vic.gov.au.