A new Warrnambool library and community hub has received more than $17 million in today's Victorian budget.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Victorian Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney visited Warrnambool's South West TAFE campus to announce the funding, which was an election commitment the government made in October.
The new $20.3 million library will replace the old library at the TAFE site, and the training provider plans to have completed the refurbishment and build by mid-2022.
Victoria's Department of Education and Training contributed $16.3 million, while the TAFE will contribute $830,000 and Warrnambool City Council will tip in $3.12 million.
Ms Tierney said the new library would be open to all community members and was visionary for Warrnambool.
"This is a great location because it means we can build on the education and the cultural aspects," she said.
"It will be a fantastic precinct for all, whether it be the little ones, teenagers, older adults and indeed parents. This will be a coming-together space."
South West TAFE chief executive Mark Fidge welcomed the funding, which he said would "reshape" the city and the training provider.
"We want community members to come in, to learn, to share, to play in that space," Mr Fidge said.
"If we can have the older generation sharing their experiences, knowledge and wisdom, with the younger generation in this place, that's only going to add more benefit to that space, and to our broader community."
He said South West TAFE had formed a project control group, which would appoint architects and consultants in coming months.
A Warrnambool City Council spokesman said the council's contribution would be allocated over several budgets.
The site will offer modern study spaces, play areas for children and public computers.
Ms Tierney said the new library would build on initiatives to improve education outcomes in the region.
"This is a precursor to a lot of the things we are doing in Beyond the Bell, in that we want to make sure we lift our general engagement, our general education standard, and our general commitment to learning," she said.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.