Sanctuary Point Library

Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from local First Nations artists for a number of permanent public artwork commissions as part of the new Sanctuary Point Public Library opening in 2024.

There are three public artwork opportunities within the Sanctuary Point Library site. It is anticipated that a different artistic team will be engaged for each opportunity, however you are welcome to nominate yourself to be considered for more than one option.

SEA | Freestanding sculpture

1. Location – Outside on corner of Paradise Beach Road & Kerry Street
2. Artwork Format
   • Freestanding sculpture
   • Could include a water feature
   • Integrated within landscape design
3. Artwork Objective
   • To immediately locate the library site within its First Nations history
   • To connect the site with the sea and surrounding waterways
   • To become an identifiable landmark for the site.

SKY | Embedded lighting artwork

1. Location: Underside of rooftop
2. Artwork Format: Embedded LED lighting
3. Artwork Objective:
   • Celebrate First Nations science and astronomy
   • To create visual interest during both the day and night
4. Notes: Prior experience with lighting not essential. Artists will be supported with the technical aspects of this artwork.

LAND l Sunshades

1. Location: Sunshades wrapping the entire external walls and internal courtyard
2. Artwork Format: Perforated design within metal sunshades
3. Artwork Objective: To perform the functional requirement of partial shading
4. Notes: Selected artist will work with project architects. Sunshades wrap the building in distinct sections.

Stage One: Expression of Interest

Suitably qualified First Nations artists are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). All submissions are assessed against the following EOI Selection Criteria:

• Cultural Connection to the Bay and Basin area
• Demonstration of creativity and artistic merit
• Willingness to expand your artistic practice into the domain of large-scale Public Art.

Submission Requirements

Please include:

1. An artist statement in response to this project. This may include an initial idea (optional). This can be written (250 words) or video (max 3 mins).
2. Artwork examples (max 5 images) with supporting information
3. Nominate the artwork opportunity you would like to undertake. You can nominate more than one option. However please note it is unlikely you will be shortlisted for more than one option.

We are not seeking detailed concepts at this stage.

Before completing an EOI, please take a look at the Public Art - Scoping Document, EOI Public Art - Information and the Brewster Hjorth Architects' Fly Through Video.

Please complete the Online EOI Form or download the EOI Form in the Document Library and email it to council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au, with reference number 71326e, by 5pm Monday, 8 August 2022.

Stage Two: Artist Design Competition

The Art Selection Panel will assess the EOI submissions and shortlist 2 -3 artists for each artwork commission. The shortlisted artists will progress to Stage Two: Artist Design Competition.

Shortlisted artists will be invited to develop a conceptual proposal in response to the Artist Brief. Artists will be paid a concept development fee.

During Concept Development artists will be supported and connected with public art specialists who can assist with the design and engineering requirements of an artistic concept. Shortlisted artists will be asked to present their concept to the Art Selection Panel.

For more information, please contact Bronwyn Coulston, Arts & Culture Manager, on (02) 4429 5441 or Sarah Taylor, Library Services Manager, on (02) 4429 3702.

Council is at an advanced stage of planning for the construction and delivery of the sanctuary Point Regional Library.

The Development Application has been submitted and the next stage of the process is to consider the procurement and project management services for the construction phase.

At Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 25 May 2021, Council resolved that Council:

1. Note the submissions provided on the concept design of the Sanctuary Point District Library for information.

2. Adopt the concept design, as publicly exhibited, with the following minor changes (as displayed in the 'Document Library'):
a. Research Room relocated
b. Stairwell relocated and shape changed to assist with mechanical reticulation
c. Breakup of sunshade on front of building
d. Solid precast wall incorporated to reduce heat
e. Technology Room relocated to north east corner
f. Corridor and lift relocated
g. A solid precast wall incorporated to manage heat gain / loss at front of building

3. Lodge a Development Application for the Sanctuary Point District Library on the corner of Paradise Beach Road and Kerry Street, Sanctuary Point as per MIN20.33 and MIN21.126.

4. Respond to the submissions and advise of Council’s decision.

5. Actively pursue any grant funding opportunities to assist with the delivery of the Sanctuary Point Library.

If you need further information about this matter, please contact Susan Edwards, City Lifestyles on (02) 4429 3632. Please quote Council’s reference 63792E (D21/221667).

Thank you for your input. The submission period is now closed.

The concept design of Sanctuary Point District Library was on public exhibition from Wednesday 31 March to Friday 30 April 2021.

Located in the Sanctuary Point Town Centre on the corner of Paradise Beach Road and Kerry Street, the concept design of the new library is for a two-storey architecturally designed building includes:

• Foyer and Exhibition Area
• Customer Service
• Community / Multipurpose Space
• Amenities
• Reading Areas
• Lending Library Collection Areas
• Audio-Visual and IT Collection
• Children’s Area
• Program Space
• Youth Area
• Individual Study / Working Spaces
• Quiet Study Areas
• Group Study Areas
• Peaceful Lounge
• Social Stairs
• Outdoor Terrace
• Courtyard
• Pedestrian Thoroughfare connecting Kerry Street and Francis Ryan Reserve
• Revised Car Parking off Kerry Street and Francis Ryan Reserve

Further information

If you have any enquiries in relation to this project, please do not hesitate to contact Anthony Meta (02) 4429 3676 or stay up to date on this project by subscribing to the Get Involved webpage.

At the Strategy and Assets meeting on 9 March 2021, Shoalhaven City Council resolved to progress to the public exhibition stage of the concept design of the Sanctuary Point District Library.

The concept plan was developed after preliminary community consultation last year, which included workshops held in December 2020 – the outcomes of this consultation is summarised in the Phase 1 Community Engagement Report.

The Council resolution (MIN21.126) was as follows:

1. Council accept the report for information.

2. Council support the public exhibition of the Sanctuary Point District Library Concept Plan.

a. Where significant and adverse feedback is received, amend the design to address the issues raised as deemed necessary.

3. Council receive a further report at the conclusion of the public exhibition period.

4. Council endorse progressing to Development Application lodgement as per MIN20.33.

5. The construction of a new amenities block at Frances Ryan Reserve continue to be in the forefront of Council’s plan.

The public exhibition will involve an exhibition period of 28-days, online survey, acceptance of submissions and a community drop-in session during the public exhibition period.

The community drop-in session will be an opportunity for the community members to come and meet Council staff and members from the consultant team to discuss the preferred concept plan, ask questions, and provide their feedback.

Further details of the public exhibition will be available shortly.

The consultants have finalised a report on the outcomes of the Sanctuary Point Library community engagement activities undertaken to date. This follows the completion of three workshops in December 2020 with an External Stakeholder Group and two Community Groups. The report provides a summary of the proceedings and the key discussion areas in relation to the design of the Library.

View the Sanctuary Point Library - Phase 1 - Community Engagement Report

Council’s Strategy and Assets Committee Meeting on Tuesday 9 March 2021 considered a report on the Sanctuary Point District Library. The purpose of the report was to update Council on the project and seek Council’s endorsement to publicly exhibit the draft concept plan.

Council endorsed the recommendation, and added a part 5 relating to Francis Ryan Reserve Amenities. The recommendation read:

That Council:

1. Accept the report for information.

2. Support the public exhibition of the Sanctuary Point District Library Concept Plan.

a. Where significant and adverse feedback is received, amend the design to address the issues raised as deemed necessary.

3. Receive a further report at the conclusion of the public exhibition period

4. Endorse progressing to Development Application lodgement as per MIN20.33.

The proposed approach for the next stage of the community consultation includes:

• Public exhibition period supported by an online survey and acceptance of submissions. This is proposed for a period of 28 days.

• Community drop-in day during the public exhibition period. This will be an opportunity for the community members to come and meet Council staff and members from the consultant team to discuss the preferred concept plan, ask questions, and provide their feedback.

Copies of the concept plan and fly-throughs will be available for viewing and comment during the consultation period. Dates of the upcoming consultation period will be available and notified via this page, once confirmed.

A report updating Council on the Sanctuary Point Library project and seeking Council’s approval to publicly exhibit the concept plan will be considered at the Strategy and Assets Committee meeting on Tuesday, 9 March 2021.  

The meeting is scheduled to start at 5:00pm and will be held in the Council Chambers at Council’s Administration Building. Due to social distancing requirements at this time, the Council Chambers are closed to the public. The public can view the meeting live through the Council Meetings web page.

A copy of the report will be available on Council’s Agendas and Minutes web page on Friday 5 March 2021.  

If you wish to make a deputation on the matter at the meeting, you can find further information on Council’s Deputations web page.

Pending the outcome of this meeting, Council is proposing to hold workshops regarding the concept plans to receive your feedback.

Council is seeking registrations from the local community to participate in community consultations workshops to inform the development of a draft concept plan for the Sanctuary Point District Library.

Two community consultation sessions will be held at St Georges Basin Community Hall on Wednesday, 9 December 2020 with a morning session from 11.00 am - 1.00 pm and an evening session from 5.30 - 7.30 pm. Council has engaged an external consultant to run the sessions.

Feedback will be used to inform the development of the draft concept plan. A final design concept will be presented to the community in early 2021.

Numbers are limited to 25 people per session due to COVID restrictions.

To register complete the online Registration Form or contact Council’s Senior Strategic Planner, Jessica Volkanovski, on 02 4429 3152. Registration closes 4pm Tuesday 8 December 2020.

If you are interested in providing feedback but unable to attend a workshop session, you can provide comments via the Feedback Form.

Shoalhaven City Council has appointed Brewster Hjorth Architects (BHA) to undertake the design and facilitate the community consultation process for Sanctuary Point District Library.

BHA are experienced in preparing designs for Public Libraries, a number of which have received design awards. Some notable Public Library projects which they have been involved with include the:

• Rockdale Library and Civic Centre
• Oran Park Library and Community Resource Centre
• Warilla Library
• Ingleburn Library and Community Centre.

You can contribute to the development of the concept plan for this exciting project by participating in a community workshop on 9 December 2020.

Please note, due to COVID restrictions, registrations will be required and numbers limited. Find out more via the 'Participate' tab.