Following an extensive community engagement project known as The Coburg Conversation, in 2024 Council endorsed Revitalising Coburg: Objectives which set out six key areas for change, including the objective to develop a new library in the heart of Coburg, and the objective to develop new inviting public spaces in Coburg.

Coburg Library was originally constructed in the 1960’s as a supermarket and was repurposed as a library approximately 40 years ago. The existing building is inadequate to support current and future populations and visitation. A new library building will accommodate and provide a contemporary library service, with cultural and community uses in Coburg.

There is a shortage of open space in Coburg, so a piazza in the heart of the neighbourhood will provide an open gathering space that allows for diverse community and civic events. The new piazza will provide multi-functional space, increased tree canopy coverage and water sensitive urban design elements.

The existing site will be sold or commercially leased to use the proceeds as part of the funding strategy for the new Coburg Library and Piazza. Any future use of the site, for example hospitality, will need to consider a range of urban design, activation and safety outcomes to better address the eastern section of Victoria Street Mall.

The Waterfield Street West site has significant strengths, including being the highest profile location for a catalyst project. The site is in the heart of Coburg, in close proximity to Sydney Road, Victoria Mall, the Coburg Market, the churches on Victoria Street, the Upfield Shared User Path and Coburg Station. This site is the most accessible for those with limited mobility and for those coming by bike or public transport and occupancy studies show it is one of the least used areas of car parking with occupancy rates at the lowest end of the central Coburg car parks.

One of the strongest attributes of this site, is its adjacency to Victoria Mall, and the ability to consider urban design, safety, and activation benefits in a joined-up way across both the new site and the site of the existing library and the part of the mall that abuts it.

This site also has challenges, such as drainage issues, which will need to be explored in detail at the next stage of planning for the project. Further investigation is required before Council determines on the preferred site in April 2025.

The existing Coburg Library will operate throughout the development and construction of the new library.   

Consultation with the community commenced in late 2023 through the process known as The Coburg Conversation. If you have any questions or concerns that feel urgent about the Coburg Library and Piazza vision, scope and preferred location we welcome you to share them with us in the comment box at the bottom of this page.

The next extensive community engagement is planned for January 2026 when feedback will be sought on the draft concept design for the new Coburg Library and Piazza. Council is committed to ensuring the views of the community are heard and considered in its decision making. Therefore, we will continue to connect with and reach out to a broad range of the community by proactively seeking out feedback using a range of different methods.

The Coburg Library and Piazza is projected to cost up to $60 million.

A design competition is a well-tested procurement model - though new to Merri-bek - that invites shortlisted entrants to submit a design proposal based on a detailed brief and fixed budget, for evaluation by a qualified independent jury of design experts against set criteria. The successful entry forms the basis of the design for the project, and as such the design team is selected on the best design solution for the project, rather than on past experience alone.

A design competition can result in innovative and creative solutions or ideas which do not necessarily cost more but work smartly to make very best use of available budget, site context and features, and surrounding character.

Car parking occupancy studies suggest that the creation of a new library and piazza that repurposes some existing car parking will not have a significant impact on parking availability in central Coburg.

Car parking occupancy surveys and Council sensor data carried out at times of typical demand show at least 240 spaces were available within the area being considered as the preferred location.

Impact on parking and potential options for action will be investigated, with a focus on the impacts on business owners, customers, and users of local destinations such as churches or service providers.

The proposed development will occupy the part of the site that does not include the Coles supermarket building (which currently houses Schoolhouse Studios as a temporary use).

Council is planning for the future of six Council-owned sites in Central Coburg. Our planning is guided by Revitalising Coburg, a paper that integrates the feedback from The Coburg Conversation, our Community Vision and Council’s strategies and policies to define six clear objectives for Central Coburg -

• A new library in the heart of Coburg
• New inviting public spaces
• More greening and cooling
• Housing, including social and affordable housing
• People-friendly streets
• A thriving local economy

The Coburg Library and Piazza project starts to deliver on these objectives. Alongside this project, we are exploring different ways to achieve the other objectives. This work is focused on two key questions, what is the best outcome we can deliver, and how can we best deliver it?

This is just the beginning of The Coburg Conversation. Throughout the year, we will continue engaging with the community to discuss the vision for central Coburg.