Thank you to everyone who participated in this consultation. The survey and visioning boards are now closed while we consider all feedback. Please follow the page to receive updates as they are available.

Following a unanimous decision at the Council Meeting of 11^th of June, Council is excited to be seeking the community’s feedback on two potential future sites for the Niddrie Library and Community Hub.

Background

Located in the neighbourhood of Keilor Road/Essendon North, Niddrie Library is one of five libraries servicing the Moonee Valley community, and the only one located in the northern part of the municipality. Council’s other libraries are located in Flemington, Ascot Vale, Moonee Ponds and Avondale Heights.

Niddrie Library currently operates from a leased premise. It is well loved by the community, but its size and age mean that it is not able to keep up with the needs of our growing population.

The Niddrie Community Hub is located approximately 100 meters from the Niddrie Library, at 1-15 Matthews Avenue, Niddrie. It is a multi-functional facility that currently houses Council’s Valley Youth service, as well as two large multipurpose spaces. Part of the facility is leased to cohealth, who provide a range of health services to the community.

We’re planning to build a vibrant new Niddrie Library and Community Hub on Council land, which will offer space for library users, young people, health services and multi-purpose spaces. Establishing a new Niddrie Library and Community Hub has been a long-held strategic goal of Council, identified in Council’s long-term plan, MV2040 and Council’s Advocacy Strategy.

Now, we need your help to inform where it should be located!

Sites

Council undertook a range of background research, which was presented at the Council Meeting of 11 June 2024. We originally considered three possible sites for the Library and Community Hub in the Keilor Road activity centre. Based on the research, we decided to rule out the Ross Street Car Park (29-31 Ross Street) due to accessibility, the location of underground services, and operational considerations. Council is now seeking your feedback on two sites:

1. 1-15 Matthews Avenue (Niddrie Community Hub)
2. 1- 3 Hotham Road (Hotham Road Car Park)

The Council report is attached to the right. Note this report includes some planning future vision for the site which is hypothetical only. This consultation is to help inform the Niddrie Library and Community hub site, and does not encompass the hypothetical future vision in the concept report. Some information relating to costings and lease arrangements is not able to be shared as it is commercial in confidence.

Decision making process

This consultation will help to inform the selection of a preferred site for a future Niddrie Library and Community Hub. Additional information, such as Council strategies, guiding principles (such as MV2040), reports and research, will also inform this decision. All concept plans are subject to change based on the final decision making process.