City of Melbourne secures state grant for new Southbank Library

The City of Melbourne has received a $550,000 state government grant to help deliver the new Southbank Library at Boyd Village, marking the next major step in the transformation of the community hub alongside the recently completed Indi Southbank development.

State MP for Albert Park Nina Taylor joined Lord Mayor Nick Reece and Cr Gladys Liu at Boyd Community Hub on December 1 to formally present the grant, awarded through the Victorian Government’s Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.

The funding will contribute to the fit-out of the new 900-square-metre Southbank Library, which will occupy the ground and first floors of the Indi Southbank tower completed by Oxford Properties Group and Investa earlier this year.

The $500 million build-to-rent development forms part of the broader Boyd Village redevelopment, bringing new housing, green space and community facilities to what is now Melbourne’s most densely populated suburb.

The City of Melbourne committed $5.3 million in its 2025–26 budget to the project, which will relocate and significantly expand the existing library at the heritage Boyd building.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the new library would meet the needs of a rapidly growing community.

A new Southbank Library will be a game-changer for this growing community – giving residents not only more community event space, but more books, computers and spaces to study and lounge, Cr Reece said.

“This funding boost from the Victorian Government will help us deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose library for Southbank – turning a new page for this growing community.”

The expanded facility will double the capacity of study and lounge areas, introduce a dedicated quiet study room, and offer additional computers. Its collection will grow by 30 per cent, including a doubling of the children’s book collection, supported by a significantly larger children’s library space allowing more programs and activities for young people.

The upgraded Southbank Library is expected to open in late 2026, with works now progressing on the internal design and fit-out.

The redevelopment follows the October opening of the 42-storey Indi Southbank tower, which includes 434 apartments and a new public park, and was delivered in partnership with the City of Melbourne as part of the long-planned Boyd Village precinct.

For updates on the Southbank Library project, visit Participate Melbourne.  •