Timing and costings

Outcome

A new district quality library where it’s more than books. A library designed as an inclusive, intergenerational community hub that reflects the evolving needs of a growing community.

Overview

Pinjarra is the Shire’s largest town and designated Secondary Activity Centre for the Peel Region, serving as a key hub for employment, services and administration.

To support the community’s future needs, the Shire is progressing strategic planning for the Murray Civic Precinct in Pinjarra. This integrated civic and community hub will include the Library, Civic Centre, Council Chambers and Administration Building.

The existing Murray Library is the Shire’s only library and district-level facility, currently servicing over 20,563 residents, and is no longer fit for purpose.

At approximately 512m², the existing Murray Library falls well short of contemporary public library benchmarks. The People Places Library Building Guidelines indicate that, for the Shire’s 2025 population, approximately 1,471m² of library floorspace is recommended.

This represents a current shortfall of 959m², meaning the existing facility is operating at around 39 residents per m², compared with a benchmark provision of approximately 14 residents per m². This gap continues to widen as the community rapidly grows.

To address this need, the Shire is planning for a new Murray Library as part of the broader redevelopment of the Murray Civic Precinct through a staged delivery approach. Stage 1 will include the construction of a contemporary facility, delivering essential community infrastructure in a financially responsible and future-focused way.

Project benefits

• Flexible facilities that are adaptable for changing community needs
• District-scale impact that aligns with regional growth and service delivery
• Strategic location that reinforces Pinjarra as the Peel Region’s Secondary Activity Centre
• Co-located civic facilities maximises community access to services and civic engagement.