New chapter for Southbank: library expansion moves to consultation

A long-anticipated new chapter is under way for Southbank’s growing community, as the City of Melbourne moves ahead with plans for a significantly expanded public library and upgraded community hub.

At the July 1 Future Melbourne Committee meeting, councillors approved the draft layout for the new Southbank Library and endorsed a comprehensive engagement plan to guide the project’s next stages.

The City of Melbourne has committed $5.3 million in its 2025–26 draft budget for the library’s fit-out within the Boyd Village development, with a further $2.8 million allocated for the refurbishment of the neighbouring Boyd Community Hub the following year.

“The population in Southbank is projected to grow by almost 70 per cent by 2043. It’s critical we have the right infrastructure in place for the entire community,” Lord Mayor Nick Reece said.

The new library will occupy 1000 square metres of space secured through a planning agreement with developer PDG in 2021.

Currently under construction behind the Boyd Community Hub on City Rd, the Boyd Village development will be handed over to the council in July 2025.

Council officers say the library will more than double the size of the current facility – now located within the heritage-listed Boyd building – and will unlock greater flexibility for both spaces.

Once the library relocates, the original site will be reimagined to support a broader range of community services, including youth and senior programs, family services and bookable meeting rooms.

Community feedback has played a key role in shaping the project to date. Results from the council’s 2024 neighbourhood survey revealed strong support for more public spaces and inclusive programs in Southbank, particularly those catering to young people and families.

The project will roll out in two phases. Stage one will see the library fitted out after the Boyd Village site is handed over next July.

Stage two, commencing in 2026–27, will focus on redesigning the existing Boyd Community Hub to better meet the needs of local residents.

At the committee meeting, Southbank Residents’ Association (SRA) president Tony Penna expressed concern about a lack of recognition for the group’s early advocacy and lack of consultation over recent design decisions.

“We have played a significant role in where we are today, and it hurts us that this is continually not recognised,” Mr Penna said.

SRA also questioned the allocation of the entire new space to the library without broader community input, despite earlier requests to be involved in space planning.

In response, councillors agreed to formally acknowledge the SRA’s longstanding contributions as part of the meeting resolution.

“You have been an absolute champion from day one for this library,” Cr Reece said.

“Southbank locals are at the heart of this project – and we want them to tell us how they would like to use and the programming they’d like to see in the new Southbank Library.”

Community consultation on both stages of the project will open in July and run through to mid-August. •