Council will consider a report following a rejection to vary an existing funding deed to change the scope of the new Sanctuary Point Library.
In November 2025, Council endorsed a single-storey library building to be built on the corner of Kerry Street and Paradise Beach Road. The proposed development would replace the existing undersized facility and support the 30,000 residents in the Bay and Basin communities.
In 2022, the Federal Government committed almost $7.5 million for the construction of a two-storey building valued at over $20M, however in response to financial constraints, Council recently requested a variation to pursue a lower cost option.
Director of City Services, Kevin Norwood said the variation would have enabled planning, design and site establishment to make the project 'shovel ready' for future funding. However, the Department of Infrastructure confirmed in April that funding must be used for the original larger building, or the funding deed would need to be terminated.
"Council has been through an exhaustive process to determine the site, design and size of a library that would be attractive and functional for the community to use into the future," Mr Norwood said.
"Without government funding, Council is not in a position to proceed with the library at this time," he said.
If Council votes to terminate the agreement at its meeting on 28 April in line with the options outlined by the Department of Infrastructure, the project would be placed on hold until new external grant funding or future Council budget allocation could be secured.
