Library concept formally approved

18 August 2015

Waipa District Council has formally approved the concept plans for Te Awamutu's new library.

Approval authorises council staff to commission detailed design work for the new 1400 square metre building including the design of structural elements like the frame and foundations, utility services and internal layout.

Today, elected councillors also approved the installation of a solar power system in the library to provide power to the building and community space. This was supported by feedback from the community, either from a Te Awamutu community board open forum held last week, or directly to council.

Councillors decided against installing rain water tanks to harvest water based on the additional costs, and the time it would take to recoup those costs.

Waipa mayor Jim Mylchreest said he was getting considerable feedback about the library and the vast majority of it was positive.

People accept that Te Awamutu needs a new library and simply want us to get on with it - that's the message I'm getting, he said.

The contract for the $4.4 million facility has been awarded to Fletcher Construction with its design partner Opus.

All media enquiries, contact Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of council) 027 507 7599