New Deed of Agreement Adopted for the Richmond Tweed Regional Library Latest update on the Yamba Community Precinct

The member councils of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library service have recently established a new Deed of Agreement to uphold the provision of public library services throughout the Lismore, Tweed, Ballina, and Byron local government areas by leveraging a regional library model.

This new Deed of Agreement guarantees that the four member councils will maintain their collaboration to provide exceptional quality public library services to their respective communities while benefting from the fexibility and expanded access to resources and services that the regional library model facilitates.

Richmond Tweed Regional Library Committee Chair, Councillor Darlene Cook, expressed her satisfaction with the adoption of the new Deed, stating, “The new Deed being adopted is a clear sign that the member councils are dedicated to collaborating and maintaining a thriving library service. Our partnership across the region generates greater services and benefts diverse communities.”

“From baby bounce sessions, computer access, school holiday, and senior’s programs, and much more. It’s a win-win situation with Councils working together to share collections and

Yamba will soon be home to a modern, spacious cultural and educational hub with the construction of the Yamba Community Precinct.

The new building will be located on the site of the existing Treelands Drive Community Centre, and designed to create a precinct integrated with the TAFE NSW Connect Learning Centre and Yamba Community Health.

It will include a new art space, dedicated youth space, outdoor communal areas and additional public parking. Flexible confguration of up to eight meeting spaces will be able to cater to a wide range of small and large user groups as well as a new library twice the size of the current facility. to wider regional communities.”

The centre will be closed from 30 June 2023. Current hirers have been accommodated at Wooli Street Hall if appropriate, or alternate venues found.

Clarence Valley Council plans to award the contract to a successful tender at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 25 July. Site handover will take place in early August for the contractor to start demolition works and construction of a new public carpark behind the TAFE.

The project is majority funded by a $11,087,000 grant under the Bushfre Local Economic Recovery (BLER) program cofunded by the NSW and Federal governments.

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader of Ballina Shire Council also commended the initiative, emphasising the evolving role of libraries in today’s society, “libraries are not just about borrowing books and movies, they have evolved over time to become important social hubs for our resources so that our libraries can deliver even more,” added Mayor Cadwallader.

The new Deed of Agreement will be effective from July this year until 2027, solidifying the commitment of the member councils to enhance library services and ensure their accessibility to all residents.