Media releasesBirkenhead Library given go ahead
August 17, 2007
The Environment Court has given North Shore City Council the go-ahead to build a new library on Birkenhead’s Nell Fisher Reserve.
A last minute appeal to the court concerning a needed plan change allowing the library and Civic Centre to be re-built on the reserve delayed the project 12 months.
North Shore City’s library services manager, Geoff Chamberlain, is pleased that the appeal has now been heard and a judgement in favour of the council announced. Plans can now be finalised for a new library that will be a major community asset in Birkenhead.
“There has been a library on Nell Fisher Reserve for more than 50 years and it’s the ideal place for it. The new purpose-built library will provide a vital community focal point in Birkenhead’s Civic Centre, and it’s a facility that will be hugely popular with the local community,” he says.
It’s planned to have two floors and will provide panoramic views across Auckland. About 50 per cent bigger than the previous building, it will have up-to-the-minute facilities for all interests, including collections for young adults and children.
The latest systems for full electronic access will also be available, and the needs of other community services will be re-visited following detailed planning.
A total of $6.5million is currently provided in the council’s 2006-16 City Plan for the capital costs of the new building, and these will be revisited following detailed design. Opening is expected in late 2009.
Currently the area office, Citizens Advice Bureau and Highbury Plunket are continuing to work out of temporary premises in the Birkenhead area.
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