REDLAND City councillors have rejected a proposal to relocate the Victoria Point Library to a purpose-built facility on the roof of the Victoria Point Shopping Centre.
The library has operated for 20 years at Victoria Point Lakeside Shopping Centre, owned by Fox and Bell.
However, with the current lease due to expire on March 31, council officers brought forward a confidential report recommending council authorise negotiations to relocate the library to the roof of the nearby Victoria Point Shopping Centre.
Under that proposal, the shopping centre would construct a “concrete box” on about half of its rooftop car park to accommodate a new 1400sqm purpose-built library.
While the centre offered favourable initial lease terms, it was estimated it would take up to two years to complete construction and fit-out of the new facility.
Because of the timing, council would likely need to enter a month-to-month lease at the existing 1200sqm site after March 31.
Officers advised this might be achievable in the short term but was unlikely to be secured for the full two-year construction period.
As a result, library services would have been temporarily relocated to a vacant 200sqm shop within Victoria Point Shopping Centre for up to two years while the rooftop facility was built.
Councillors who opposed the move argued the interim and long-term arrangements were inferior to the current location.
Councillor Paul Golle criticised the proposed rooftop site, saying it would reduce parking availability and create a less welcoming environment.
“What I found surprising was the Mayor’s and Councillor Boglary’s position to vote against keeping the library in its current location, instead proposing a quick fix by moving it to the top floor of the car park at Victoria Point Shopping Centre to save a few dollars,” he said.
Under the proposal, the new structure would have been built on the northern section of the rooftop parking area, with no identified plan to replace the lost spaces.
Councillors also noted that patrons would need to travel via escalator to the roof level and cross part of the open car park to reach the new library.
Ultimately, councillors resolved not to progress the relocation proposal, instead shifting focus to negotiating a new mid-term lease at the current site while undertaking a broader strategic review of future library locations across the city.
Several councillors argued that with significant residential growth occurring in the Shoreline area, ongoing local development and the declaration of a Priority Development Area, it would be prudent to assess long-term demand and positioning of libraries over the next 20 years before committing to a new build in what some described as an isolated rooftop location.
While the vote did not formally resolve to “keep” the library at the existing site, rejecting the relocation proposal has prompted council to prioritise negotiations for a new lease, with early expectations pointing toward a potential five-year term.
Councillor Wendy Boglary said her position was based on confidence in the professional advice provided.
“I supported the officer’s recommendation because it reflected what trained and experienced officers considered the best professional outcome after consulting stakeholders and investigating all available options,” she said.
“I believe it is important that councillors carefully consider and respect the professional advice provided, particularly when complex commercial and contractual matters are involved.”
Negotiations are understood to be progressing, with discussions expected to include public access arrangements and updated provisions relating to the elevator servicing the second floor, although no final terms have been confirmed.
Councillor Boglary said confidentiality requirements limited how much detail could be publicly discussed.
“Only the information contained in the publicly released minutes can be discussed, and I respect the importance of maintaining confidentiality where commercial-in-confidence material is involved,” she said.
Council resolved in 2004 to lease premises for a library at Victoria Point Lakeside, with a 10-year lease commencing April 1, 2006, and expiring March 31, 2016.
The agreement included an option to renew for a further 10 years.
Documents later released publicly show that for the first year of the renewed term, from April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2017, the lease cost $519,278.70 plus GST, with annual adjustments.
The lease also provided for a market review after five years on April 1, 2021.
Councillor Golle highlighted the library’s current surroundings as central to its popularity.
“Families value the ease of access, the integrated surroundings, and the welcoming environment that supports everyday community activity,” he said.
Fox and Bell managing director Greg Bell said council originally approached the developer to include a library within the Victoria Point shopping centre precinct, with early plans involving a larger tenancy across two levels and an administrative hub.
Mr Bell said council later reduced the space after fit-out works had been completed. He said the facility was designed to feel open and connected to landscaped areas, and to operate as more than a traditional library, including integrating café-style use into the space.
On market comparisons, Mr Bell said the lease was favourable for council.
“If you look at any comparison to some of the latter ones that have been done, our rent would be half of what they’re being charged … this isn’t Redlands; this is Brisbane and Moreton and others,” he said.
“I won’t give exact figures, but including outgoings it’s roughly around the half-million-dollar mark.
“I don’t think the rents unfair. If anything, our rent’s probably too cheap.”
Meeting minutes show an option recommended by officers was put forward by Councillor Boglary but failed to attract a seconder.
A subsequent motion moved by Councillor Julie Talty and seconded by Councillor Golle to endorse progression of Option Two — effectively rejecting the relocation proposal and pursuing lease negotiations at the existing site — passed 8–2.
A council spokesperson said details regarding the lease for Victoria Point Library remain confidential.
