2015-16 Annual Report 2015-16 Annual Report | Page 74

Yarraman Library Upgrades Community outcomes New state-of-the-art Toowoomba City Library The impressive, $24.5 million Toowoomba City Library opened to the community this year, allowing greater access to services, literary and historical assets and capacity as a community meeting space. Not only is the facility striking from the outside, with a copper panel façade and a north-facing glass wall, it also has an impressive interior featuring 6,800m2 of floor space, with a purpose-built, climate-controlled area for the correct storage of important archival materials and remarkable art pieces throughout the building. The building is not only architecturally extraordinary, it also houses more than 320 tier-one solar panels; making it as ‘green’ as it is copper. The panels will be able to produce around 131,400 kWh (kilowatt-hours) of electricity a year. The Environmentally Sensitive Designed (ESD) building has a number of other green initiatives including: • High performance glazing to reduce the solar gain in the building, coupled with external and internal sun shading • Use of LED lighting to reduce power consumption • A bio-retention system to pond and treat stormwater • Installation of two in-ground water tanks providing 52,000 litres of water for use on the grounds. The new facility is also home to end-of-trip cycle facilities, public-access computers, a digital hub, free Wi-Fi and greater accessibility for people with a disability. The conference rooms on level three contain new community meeting rooms including seminar rooms and capacity for theatre-style use. Civic Square and City Hall Annexe Stage 1 of the Civic Square (behind City Hall bounded by Herries, Victoria and Little Streets) was completed this year, with the provision of outdoor art in the form of a central floral sculpture, landscaped gardens and perimeter paths, a bubbling water feature, seating and tables, shaded areas, and an open green space just waiting for community activation. The space is a ‘blank canvas’ for the community to host events, regular markets and relax in green, open-air tranquillity. 74 CHAPTER 4 Our goals Behind the new Civic Square, the first stage of restoration works planned for the Toowoomba City Hall Theatre and Annexe Project were completed this financial year, with strategic demolition and stripping back of the interior. Through the engagement of a team of experienced conservation architects, the works will preserve and maintain the historically significant aspects of the building. These works adhere to the conditions approved by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and will protect the cultural heritage values within the theatre. This includes protection of existing brickwork and limitations on the type of materials that can be removed. The finished interior will be a reconstruction of the 1930s scheme, encompassing and highlighting the original features revealed during demolition works. The new space will have a flat floor and Council aims to reinstate the balcony and stage proscenium. Combined with the new library and upgraded Civic Square precinct, opening up the rear of City Hall will create a vibrant space for the community. This project is expected to be completed in mid-2017. Upgrades to the Yarraman Library This year saw the closure of the Yarraman Library in preparation for upgrades to enhance the facility and update the look and feel of the building. The works to be completed include upgrades to the accessibility of the facility, including access to car parking and improvements to the public toilets. A new reading lounge area, free Wi-Fi and the ability to be converted into a disaster coordination centre for the town (if needed) will ensure the changing needs of the community will be reflected in the design of the building. The upgrades will see historic aspects of the building maintained, with modern, adaptable elements supporting the future of the Yarraman community. Improvements and upgrades to five regional war memorials Remembering our history and honouring those that have contributed to the liveability of our region, is a key focus of Council. This year saw minor improvements completed at three State heritage listed war memorials, as well as two larger projects to restore State heritage-listed memorials at Westbrook and Greenmount. This work was completed after Council successfully applied for grant funding through TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL Annual Report 2015 - 2016