Byron Bay Library

Construction on the new Byron Bay Library - March 2012

A new library for Byron Bay is under construction.

Construction commenced in September 2011, and the new library has been designed to incorporate sustainable features which will provide the building with a 5 star green environmental rating.  With a 5 star green environmental rating standard, it will be the Shire’s first public building to meet the stand and is a statement of what can be achieved with ecological sustainable design features.

The environmental design has addressed key issues including unnecessary over air-conditioning, cooling, heating and water consumption will be avoided through the selection of building materials, orientation, high efficient lighting fittings, photoelectric cells and time switches, glazing, shading elements, rainwater tanks, geothermal heat pump, permeable paving and energy monitoring.  A saw tooth roof design contains four angled roof elements: three facing south to pickup diffused light and one facing north shaded by a wide eaves overhang to exclude direct sunlight. 

Another design feature includes a vegetated wall on the east side of the building.  The green wall will not only add to the aesthetics of the building but help decrease lighting and heating demands, and provide a buffer to reduce noise from cars entering and departing the car park.

When completed, the new Byron Bay Library will become a lifelong learning centre and feature a dedicated exhibition area to display and celebrate the talent of artists and craftspeople within the Shire.

A designated room for Indigenous research and archival material has also been included to recognise the vital assistance the Bundjalung of Byron Bay-Arakwal People played in making the land available for the Library.

To be built at a construction cost of $3.75 million (exc gst), weather permitting the new library will be completed by the end of 2012.