Visiting the Yarrabah library today Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt announced the community will soon have access to a new state-of-the-art facility with the State Government agreeing to provide the local council with $1.9 million to fund the project.
He said the more than 30 year old library had been extensively damaged by repeated weather events including impacts from Cyclone Larry and Cyclone Yasi and it was time to expand and rebuild the current facility.
“This is an important community space for the more than 3,500 residents of the Yarrabah community,” Mr Pitt said.
“I recently visited the temporary library facilities at the museum and I know there’s been some concern about what the future would hold for the library service at Yarrabah.
“Locals all know that the current library has undergone several repairs over the years, but it’s very small and it makes perfect sense to rebuild the library and rebuild it bigger and better than before.
“Construction work will get underway later this year with an aim to open the new library in early 2013.
“It will be situated in the current service hub of Yarrabah and will be available for use by community groups and a place to host meetings with dedicated multi-purpose spaces.
“The new library facility will provide additional book storage, multiple internet facilities, a service desk and office facilities.
“A modern and attractive facility will provide educational material as well as internet services which are essential tools particularly for young people to learn and get ahead.
“This project will also provide vitally needed multi-purpose areas for local residents and service providers, including visiting government officers and other service providers.
“I am really pleased that the Council identified in their submission that they will make linkages will the local Job Seeker Agencies to facilitate training and employment opportunities for local residents to be employed during the construction of this project.
“Beyond construction, the library also represents an employment and training opportunity for local staff.
Minister for Local Government Paul Lucas said the $1.9 million in funding would come from the State Government’s $45 million Local Grants and Subsidies Program.
“The State realises the importance of the project, that’s why we’ve agreed to provide 100% of the funding,” Mr Lucas said.
“This is a way of making sure councils who need a helping hand to fund important projects which will benefit the local community can get them off the ground,” he said.
“It’s a $45 million investment in local communities’ right across Queensland and I’m pleased Yarrabah is benefitting from this funding.”
Recent Comments