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The project has delivered a new joint use library and community facility, funded under a partnership between Hilltops Council and the NSW Department of Education.
The new 2.5-storey facility is located on Young High School grounds and integrated with Carrington Park. The library is now open for use.
The upgrade also included additional improvements to other parts of Young High School.
The benefits
reading and study areas.
technology including video conferencing facilities and multimedia spaces
children’s activity area
youth wellbeing hub
a floor dedicated to the arts, including gallery space and specialised arts spaces
coffee bar
Wiradjuri learning centre
new staff hub
a new canteen
new student toilets
landscaping
Planning
Design
In progress
Complete
Video: Staff and students tour Hilltops Young High School Library
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Video: Hilltops Young High School Library completion fly through
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Image: Hilltops Young High School Library
Image: Art room
Image: Children's library
Image: Community reading and study area
Image: Presentation space
Image: Wiradjuri learning centre
How does the partnership between the NSW Department of Education and Hilltops Council work?
The library and community facility is shared between Young High School and the community. In 2018, the NSW Department of Education and Hilltops Council signed a Heads of Agreement, which sets out design principles, facility use and governance of the joint use library and community facility. In October 2019, the deed and lease documents were endorsed by both parties, covering the management structures, legal and financial arrangements, design and construction considerations and governance of the joint use facility.
Who funded the project?
Hilltops Council contributed $6.5 million to the joint use library and community facility. This is made up of $3 million from the Regional Cultural Fund, $2 million from the Stronger Communities Fund and a $1.5 million loan specifically for the library project.
The NSW Department of Education funded the remainder of the project.
How has heritage been considered for this project?
The heritage features of the land, Carrington Park, the old Courthouse and its setting were important aspects for developing the design of the project. Heritage studies, including European and Aboriginaland archaeological salvage works were included in the program of works. Any objects and materials found have been catalogued and arrangements made for their storage and display.
There are reports of a historic tunnel under the school. How did this impact the project?
The design of the project was developed in close consultation with heritage consultants GML Heritage and responded to the project brief, site opportunities and constraints, as well as the heritage significance of the site.
School Infrastructure NSW conducted investigations to explore claims of an underground prisoner transfer tunnel between the formerCourthouse (located within the school site) and Gaol (located within the TAFE site), but did not find any evidence of a tunnel.
Investigations included:
The archaeological salvage works also did not uncover any evidence of a tunnel.
Are there any changes to Carrington Park?
Carrington Park has been upgraded with a new pathway to provide clear and easy access for the community to the new library. The existing facilities in Carrington Park, such as the playground, BBQ facilities, public toilets and Band Rotunda, will remain available for community use.
What is the community access to the library during school hours?
During school hours the community has sole access to approximately:
Level 1 is for school access only. Outside of school hours, the community will have access to the majority of spaces in the facility, with certain usage conditions. Some collections will remain separate.
What are the benefits to the community of locating the library on this site?
The previous Young Library has a usable floor area of 370m2. The total area of the new joint use facility isapproximately 2500m2, with a core community area of approximately 1200m2, an increase of around 220% in space for the community.
Outside of school hours, the area to the north of the new library building and around the former Courthouse will also be available for community use. This will provide greater opportunities to connect with the historic Courthouse building.
What measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of school students and community users in one facility?
Joint use libraries have operated in Australia for many years. We have drawn on the successful designs and protocols used by others to ensure everyone can safely access and enjoy the facility.
We have incorporated variable security boundaries for the joint use space facing Carrington Park; one for use during school hours and another for use after school hours. There will also be separate access points and secure lines and dividers used within the library to separate community spaces, joint use spaces and school spaces during school hours.
Completion date
August 2023
Architect
Hayball
Builder
Joss Group
Electorate
Cootamundra
Address
Campbell St 2594
Your feedback on this project is important to us. For more information, questions or to make a comment please email us at schoolinfrastructure@det.nsw.edu.au or complete the contact form.
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We recognise the Ongoing Custodians of the lands and waterways where we work and live. We pay respect to Elders past and present as ongoing teachers of knowledge, songlines and stories. We strive to ensure every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learner in NSW achieves their potential through education.
