The GIL Library Hub open

The $6.1 million GIL Library Hub project has now reached completion with the Miller Street facility opening on Monday, March 3, 2025.

The long-awaited GIL Library Hub is now open. Library staff Liz McCutcheon, Lorraine Hutchison, and Kristina Wendt were joined by mayor Doug Batten on Monday’s opening day. Photo by The Gilgandra Weekly: Lucie Peart.

By Lucie Peart and Dallas Reeves

The opening marks a three-year process after contractors officially took over the site on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Gilgandra Shire Council (GSC) said there were several delays with construction with the restoration of a building of this age and significance, which presented various design challenges and construction complexities and further delays with occupancy permits.

GSC took back the site on reaching practical completion in February, 35-months after contractors took over the site.

The final month was spent adding the finishing touches and finalising The GIL Library Hub in readiness for the public. There are a number of new spaces including the tech room, large meeting area and hot desk places with video call compatibility. A commercial kitchen and break out window looking onto the Castlereagh River is a feature of the rear of the building.

The project was jointly funded by federal and state government grants and GSC.

The GIL Library Hub received $4.2 million in funding from the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund, state government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, Regional Cultural Fund, Your High Streets Program, Public Library Infrastructure Grants. GSC also contributed approximately $1.9 million to the project.

“The opening of The GIL Library Hub marks a significant milestone for our community,” GSC mayor Doug Batten said.

“A great deal of time and effort has gone into upgrading and restoring this historic building in the heart of our CBD, and we are very excited to now welcome everyone to exp-lore and enjoy this transformative new space designed for our community. We also look forward to welcoming the ministers and government officials that made this project possible to the ‘official’ opening of the building later in the year, and are excited to invite the community to join in the celebrations.”

In her weekly news article for The Gilgandra Weekly, library hub manager, Liz McCutcheon, was delighted to announce the new hub is open for business.

“Our shelves are full of plenty of great books for you to read, we have computers and free wi-fi, and spaces for you to sit, relax, study or meet a friend. We also have plenty of great activities on offer,” she wrote.

Liz added locals were quick to visit the centre just after 9am yesterday and she and the staff were “really excited” to begin work out of the new premises.