Kaponga LibraryPlus to be repaired following strong community support

At Monday (26 May) night's meeting, Councillors unanimously agreed to repair the existing Kaponga LibraryPlus building, following strong feedback from local residents.

The building has suffered significant water damage from leaks 18 months ago, creating health and safety concerns.

Council’s Community Services Group Manager, Rob Haveswood, said the damage made repairs essential to ensure the space remains safe and usable.

In March, the Council asked the Kaponga community where they would prefer LibraryPlus services to be located in the future. Two options were presented: repairing the current building or relocating services to the Supper Room of the Kaponga War Memorial Hall. Council received 83 feedback forms, and 35 residents attended a public meeting.

Most of those who gave us feedback opposed the relocation, raising concerns about losing the Supper Room for community use and the risk of leaving another building vacant in town. Others suggested alternatives such as demolishing and rebuilding a new facility, expanding the current site, or moving services to the old Kaponga Plunket building which were then presented to the Council at Monday's meeting.

Mayor Phil Nixon acknowledged the community’s strong voice and said the decision reflected the Council’s commitment to listening to its communities and investing in facilities that meet local needs. “It will be great to see if we can make this happen in the space they have asked for,” he said.

The Council will now proceed with repairs to address weather tightness issues. The total cost is estimated at $147,000.