The new library would see the two entities combine its respective libraries and the council is seeking state government support to fund the project.

The proposed funding structure includes $1.5 million from Warrnambool City Council, $500,000 from South West TAFE (with an asset contribution $1.5m), $3.5m from Regional Development Victoria, $4m from the Department of Education and Training, and $750,000 from the Living Libraries Program.

Mayor Kylie Gaston welcomed the partnership and said Warrnambool needed a library that met 21st century community expectations.

“It would be a fantastic community asset,” she said.

An advocacy document says an upgraded facility would boost education and training outcomes for the south-west, support growing industry and community needs, help shape the future prosperity of Warrnambool and create a more dynamic regional community.  

The current council library was built in 1976 when Warrnambool had a population of 18,000. 

The new proposed library would have a floor space up to 2500sqm, capacity to hold more than 60,000 items, meeting rooms and a greater emphasis on technology with more public access to computers, self-checkout technology and automated book return systems.