Another step closer

By MICK ROBERTS

MORE than a decade from when planning began on the Thirroul District Community Centre and Library a development application is ready to be lodged.

It is exciting news for agitators of the state-of-the-art community facility to be built on Lawrence Hargrave Drive opposite Railway Pde.

Ward One Councillor Alice Cartan said the announcement couldn't have come at a better time with the old Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre in poor condition.

"The old centre is in need of some major repairs and the sooner we have a new home for the various community groups using the neighbourhood centre the better," Cr Cartan said.

Providing all goes to plan the $8.5 million centre should be completed by December 2007 the Thirroul councillor told the Leader.

The centre has been a pet project for Cr Cartan, who has lobbied 13 years for the facility well before she was elected as a councillor.

"This has been a passion of mine. I love libraries and I want Thirroul and surrounding suburbs to have one they can be proud of," she said.

"They say Wollongong Library is the lounge room of Wollongong and I want to see Thirroul's library as the lounge room of Thirroul. It's a chance for it to become the cultural centre of Thirroul."

Council's project manager for the centre, Lois Besnard said the next milestone commencing construction - is just around the corner.

"The development application is close to being approved and the final construction plans are nearly finalised," Ms Besnard said.

"Machinery arrived on the site last week to undertake some subsurface testing to assist in finalising the plans."

Council has also advertised for expressions of interest in tendering for the construction she said.

"Earlier this year Council sought expressions of interest from artists to design and construct community and public artworks and the applications are now being assessed," Ms Besnard said.

"The proposed artworks are integrated into the centre's design and artists will be working closely with the builder during the construction period to finalise the works in time for the opening which is expected to happen before the end of next year."

Construction on the project is expected to begin in July or August this year.

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" Cr Alice Cartan enthusiastically looking forward to a start on Thirroul's new community centre.