VICTORY IN REACH: Help secure heritage protection for the Former Gosford Library!
VICTORY IN REACH: Help secure heritage protection for the Former Gosford Library!
Dear Supporters,
When you signed our Change.org petition to save the Former Gosford Library building, you sent a clear message: this mid-century jewel is worth fighting for.
Because of your relentless community advocacy, we have reached a critical turning point. The proposal to officially grant local heritage listing to the building at 118-120 Donnison Street is now on public exhibition!
This is our best chance to give the former library the permanent legal protection it deserves. But to cross the finish line, we need individual community submissions made through the NSW Planning Portal.
Council and the Minister need to see that the community is fully backing this listing.
How You Can Help (Takes Less Than 5 Minutes)
Go to the NSW Planning Portal:
Former Gosford Library - Local Heritage Listing Exhibition https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr/under-exhibition/former-gosford-library-local-heritage-listing
Click "Make a Submission" (you will be asked to log in or create a quick Planning Portal account).
Select "Support" for the proposal.
Copy and paste the template text below into the submission box (or upload it as a document). Feel free to personalise it with your own stories or memories of the library!
Here are 3 SUBMISSION TEMPLATE examples as suggestions to copy and paste
Please change them in some way to make them your own.
Option 1:
RE: UNRESERVED COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR HERITAGE LISTING THE FORMER GOSFORD LIBRARY
I am writing as a Central Coast community member to express my strong support for granting local heritage protection to the former Gosford Library at 118-120 Donnison Street.
Protecting this iconic mid-century gem on Schedule 9 of the Precincts Regional SEPP and updating the Gosford City Heritage Map is a long-overdue victory for local history and sustainable planning. I urge Council and the Minister to formally adopt and gazette this heritage listing for the following key reasons:
Architectural & Technical Distinction: Designed by Alan Williams & Associates and its construction involving Ove Arup, Rinaldo Fabbro, A.W. Edwards, and others the building is a rare surviving specimen of mid-century Modernist civic architecture. Its precast concrete panels, Oregon timber impressions, and timber roof framing give it exceptional aesthetic value, as recognised by the National Trust (NSW), Docomomo, and the Australian Institute of Architects.
Deep Social Significance: Serving the community for nearly 60 years, the former library meets the statutory threshold for high social significance under NSW heritage criteria, evidenced by years of overwhelming public advocacy and petition signatures.
Connection to Kibble Park: Its low-rise footprint and natural materials were purposefully designed to harmonise with Kibble Park. Listing ensures any future use respects this vital civic town square.
Sustainable Adaptive Reuse: The building is structurally sound and ideal for adaptive reuse (e.g., a community cultural hub, museum, or gallery). Retaining existing building stock prevents unnecessary carbon emissions and landfill waste.
Please finalise this local heritage listing so our community can begin a new chapter of adaptively reusing this cherished civic space.
Option 2:
RE: UNRESERVED COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR HERITAGE LISTING THE FORMER GOSFORD LIBRARY
As a local resident, I fully support the proposal to grant local heritage protection to the former Gosford Library (118-120 Donnison Street).
I urge Council and the Minister to formally gazette this listing on Schedule 9 of the Precincts – Regional SEPP without delay for the following reasons:
Rare Architectural Value: A standout mid-century Modernist design by Alan Williams & Associates, Ove Arup, and A.W. Edwards, and Rinaldo Fabbro, highly praised by the National Trust and Australian Institute of Architects, and assessed with heritage significance by numerous heritage architects.
High Social Significance: A 60-year civic anchor that meets NSW statutory criteria for social heritage value through overwhelming community backing.
Parkland Harmony: Purpose-built to complement Kibble Park's green space and town square character.
Sustainability: Structurally sound and perfect for low-carbon adaptive reuse as a creative or cultural hub instead of wasteful demolition.
Please progress this exhibition stage and secure permanent heritage protection for this iconic civic asset.
Option 3:
RE: COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR HERITAGE LISTING THE FORMER GOSFORD LIBRARY
I am writing to express my full support for granting local heritage protection to the former Gosford Library at 118-120 Donnison Street. This building is a rare, high-quality specimen of mid-century Modernist public architecture with recognised aesthetic value from the National Trust and Australian Institute of Architects. It holds social significance for generations of Central Coast residents, seamlessly integrates with Kibble Park, plus offers a prime opportunity for sustainable adaptive reuse into a community hub. I urge Council and the Minister to formally adopt and gazette this listing on Schedule 9 of the Precincts – Regional SEPP without delay.
Thank you for your continued support!
Every single submission counts toward proving how deeply our community cares about this site. Together, we can ensure the former Gosford Library remains a proud part of our city’s identity for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Joy Cooper