Future Waikanae library and service centre

We're investigating options for the permanent Waikanae Library and Service Centre replacement.

The Waikanae library building was closed in November 2018 due to poor air quality, and a temporary library opened in the former Artel Gallery space in Mahara Place in July 2019.

What's happening

Council approved $13.8m in the Long-Term Plan 2021–41 for a new or upgraded library and service centre in Waikanae.

We've set up a three-stage project to deliver the new library and service centre:

Dates	Stage
March - November 2022	Investigation The investigation stage has six steps: March-June – reimagining the library and service centre, including the functions it should offer; a new library should align with modern library trends and be set up to cater for future communities March-June – consider the big picture, ie how the location of the new library and service centre could positively affect the Waikanae Town Centre and the community March-June – explore and evaluate potential locations for the new library and service centre July-August – develop a draft framework plan for Waikanae Town Centre and update Council November- seek community comment on draft framework plan February-March 2023 - finalise the framework plan for Council consideration.
April - September 2023 (indicative)	Building design
October / November 2023	Start construction

Note these estimated dates do not account for any COVID-19 or procurement-related delays but do account for the 2022 local body election.

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Next steps

For the first step of the project we'll be investigating opportunities for the new library and service centre development to help revitalise the Waikanae Town Centre.

As well as identifying the best location for the new library in Mahara Place and the functions the facility will include, we’ll look at how it could help:

enhance the local economy and improve community wellbeing
incorporate housing into the town centre
better connect the township to the train station
emphasise connections to Whakarongotai Marae and partnership with Te Ātiawa.

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Engaging with the community

We’ll take into account everything our community has told us so far about their aspirations for the future library and service centre.

A community advisory group will provide advice to the project team throughout stage one of the project. A member of the Waikanae Community Board will sit on the advisory group.

We will keep our community up to date with progress, and seek community comment on the draft framework plan in due course.

There will be further opportunities for our community to feed into the building design process later in 2022 and/or early 2023.

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