The Yamba Library and Community Centre is now officially open, offering a vibrant and inclusive space designed to connect, inspire, and support the Clarence Valley community for generations to come.
The state-of-the-art facility was unveiled on Friday 18 July with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Clarence Valley Council General Manager, Laura Black, Mayor Ray Smith, Member for Page Kevin Hogan, Member for Clarence Richie Williamson, and NSW State Librarian Caroline Butler-Bowdon. They were joined by Councillors Allison Whaites, Debrah Novak, Karen Toms, Lynne Cairns, Peter Johnstone, and Shane Causley, who celebrated this exciting milestone alongside the community.
Visitors explored the centre's many features, including the expanded library – now holding more than 16,000 books – a youth zone, eight multipurpose rooms, an art exhibition space, a community kitchen, and accessible amenities. The new library is three times the size of its predecessor, offering improved study areas, digital resources, and better access for all ages.
The project has also delivered a valuable economic boost to the region, creating dozens of local jobs during construction and ongoing employment through library and community programs.
For visitors like Deb, who travelled from Nana Glen with her grandchildren, the centre has already made a lasting impression:
"I live 100 kilometres away at Nana Glen but I come here often to see my grandchildren. They love books – all these beautiful new books – and it's such a welcoming space. We should all be proud of this achievement for the Clarence Valley."
Whether you're a library member, part of a community group, or simply a curious visitor, the Yamba Library and Community Centre offers a welcoming place to connect, learn, and create.
The project was jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, in partnership with Clarence Valley Council.
