Sugar Valley Library Museum

A development application to construct the Hunter’s first library museum in Lake Macquarie has been given the green light.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said the Sugar Valley Library Museum at Cameron Park would be an engaging, innovative cultural destination at the forefront of public libraries in the region, with the capacity to exhibit thousands of historically significant items.

“I’m excited to see this new community hub bring together innovative technology, traditional library services and a dynamic program of events and exhibitions,” Cr Fraser said.

West Wallsend District Heritage Group’s collection of some 7,000 items, telling the cultural and historical stories of the region, will form the backbone of the new library museum’s exhibitions.

Other items will come from a large collection donated in 2019 from the Dudley Public School Museum.

“There is so much history in our City, and it will be wonderful to finally have a venue to recognise and celebrate it properly,” Cr Fraser said.

Council’s Lifelong Learning and Engagement Coordinator Jessica Dowdell said the museum would help the community interact and engage with local history.

“This purpose-built facility will bring the area’s unique history to life,” Jessica said.

Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley said the library museum was part of Council’s innovative approach to enhance and transform how library and cultural services were delivered.

“The ultimate aim is to bring people together to learn, create and connect using technology, information sharing, creativity, and immersive storytelling,” Jacqui said.

Tenders to construct the facility are expected to be called in the coming months with construction anticipated to begin early in 2022.

Edgeworth Library will remain open until the new cultural facility opens. Once construction is complete, library services at Edgeworth will relocate to the new building.

The project is funded by developer contributions. Find out more at lakemac.com.au/Projects/Sugar-Valley-Library-Museum.

Plans have been lodged for Lake Macquarie’s first co-located library museum proposed for construction at Cameron Park Plaza on Northlakes Drive.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said she was excited to see Council take another step toward delivering the Hunter Valley’s first converged library and museum building.

“Libraries are a central part of any community, which is why it is so important for us to provide modern spaces to house these popular services,” Cr Fraser said.

“As well as providing library services, the proposed facility will feature a museum collection showcasing the history of West Wallsend and north west Lake Macquarie, with the opportunity to attract touring exhibitions.

“One of my favourite features of the design is the landscaping, which includes heritage items including mining artefacts to help showcase the history of the Sugar Valley area.”

Council’s Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley said she is looking forward to seeing the Library Museum come to life.

“This facility will deliver new experiences and services for residents living in North West Lake Macquarie,” Ms Hemsley said.

“The Sugar Valley Library Museum will be the perfect example of a modern library, providing cutting-edge technology, creativity, storytelling and immersion. As a Museum, the building will tell the stories, struggles, strengths and life of north west Lake Macquarie through collection, video, photography and oral histories.

“The community’s feedback was overwhelming positive during the recent consultation and we received some comments that helped us further improve and enhance the final design.”

Pending approvals, construction is expected to start in late 2021. Edgeworth Library will remain open until the new cultural facility is operational in late 2022. Once construction is complete, library services at Edgeworth will relocate to the new building.

The project will be funded by developer contributions.

Lake Macquarie City Council has released concept designs for the proposed Sugar Valley Library Museum to be constructed next to the newly opened Cameron Park Plaza on Northlakes Drive.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Councillor Kay Fraser said the innovative co-located library museum facility promises to be a flexible and inclusive space where everyone is welcome.

“The Sugar Valley Library Museum will be one of only a few in the world, and the Hunter Valley’s first converged library and museum building, fusing contemporary library services, technology and community facilities with opportunities to celebrate, promote and captivate through storytelling of local history,” Cr Fraser said.

Council’s Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley said the new library museum would provide contemporary creative experiences for residents in the City’s northwest.

“Our new library museum will provide an engaging, innovative space at the forefront of what a quality cultural facility can be – multi-use, diverse and engaging,” Ms Hemsley said.

“The ultimate aim is to deliver an enhanced experience where people can come together to learn, create and connect. It’s not just about books anymore, it’s about technology, information sharing, creativity, storytelling, gathering and immersion.”

In addition to providing library services, the proposed facility will feature a museum collection showcasing the history of the region, with the opportunity to attract touring exhibitions.

“Exciting interactive and immersive experiences will allow our community to engage with West Wallsend’s unique history at the museum and via trails to the township of West Wallsend.,” Ms Hemsley said.

“We have been working with the West Wallsend District Heritage Group to develop the museum collection and exhibition programs to allow the community relive the history of the area.

“We expect the new facility will see library membership and visitation in the north-west increase by 30-35per cent.”

The proposal to relocate services from Edgeworth to Cameron Park was identified in the Library Services Delivery Model 2011, and the Lake Mac Libraries Five-year Strategic/Business Plan 2019-2024.

“During consultation on our Five-year Business Plan, the community was supportive of the proposal to co-locate library services with a museum at Cameron Park,” Ms Hemsley said.

“We are excited about this opportunity to provide a modern facility with the latest technology and a diverse educational experience.”

Council is asking the community to provide feedback on how they could use the spaces proposed in the Sugar Valley Library Museum. The community is encouraged to have their say by visiting shape.lakemac.com.au before 8 December 2020.

Pending approvals, construction is expected to start in late 2021. Edgeworth Library will remain open until the new facility is operational. Once construction is complete, library services at Edgeworth will relocate to the new building.

The project will be funded by developer contributions.