Precinct to lead the way in sustainable public architecture
Published on 30 June 2023
Plans are forging ahead for the Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct Stage One, Library and Learning Centre. Detailed designs are now complete, and the project will soon be ready for tender.
Award-winning Melbourne-based architects Croxon Ramsay, who specialise in public realm projects including libraries and community hubs, have designed the new Library and Learning Centre to reach the highest environmental and social benchmarks.
Council is targeting Green Star 5 Certification for the project which will be at least 30% more energy efficient than similar buildings; running on 100% renewable energy and taking advantage of natural lighting, shade, and ventilation.
Green Star is the internationally recognised Australian sustainability rating and certification system by Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Green Star certification ensures that new buildings not only respond to changes in climate and protect natural surroundings but focus on the health and wellbeing of the people who use them.
The project will prioritise local, renewable, low maintenance and fire-resistant materials. The architects have identified timber as the most environmentally sustainable building material for the project. Mass laminated timber products will be used for the beams, columns, floors and frame of the building as an alternative to finite, resource intensive steel and concrete.
Chair of the Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct project reference group, Cr Danny Goss, has praised the new Library and Learning Centre’s visionary design. “With this project, Council is leading the way in building sustainable, future ready public infrastructure," says Cr Goss. "We’re not afraid to make bold decisions today to support the communities of tomorrow."
“This project is wanted and needed by many in our Shire and I’m personally very excited to see this visionary plan for our civic precinct come to life, but it won’t just fall in our lap. That’s why I’m encouraging everyone to join the campaign and help us advocate for funding from the State and Federal Governments.”
Residents can join the Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct community advocacy campaign by visiting www.advancingbawbaw.com/culture. The site provides quick and easy access to a letter of support that will be emailed directly to all local MPs and relevant ministers. The provided letter can be personalised for greater impact.
“As a Council, we are proud to be building this significant community precinct with the health of our planet and our people as the highest of priorities,” says Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Annemarie McCabe. “Utilising innovative materials and intelligent architecture will provide us with a magnificent, long lasting, low maintenance community building for the future.”
“You can help champion the construction of the Culture and Connection precinct by speaking up about the importance of the project to your friends and networks and by taking time to write to ministers and local MPs. We’ve made writing a letter of support easy. Just go to our advocacy campaign page, share your thoughts about why the government should co-fund the Culture and Connection Precinct and hit send!”
To learn more about the Baw Baw Culture & Connection Precinct and Council’s broader advocacy priorities visit www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/Advocacy or email advocacy@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au.