Surry Hills $20m community centre nears completion

BY MICK ROBERTS

Despite a few set-backs – including the collapse of a neighbouring terrace – the first books are expected to be borrowed from Surry Hills’ new $20 million library and community centre before the end of the year.
Claims a residential and retail terrace collapsed in November last year due to the City of Sydney Council’s Crown Street excavation works are still under investigations, while the imposing four-storey building nears completion.
As the completion date nears the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre (SHNC) is reviewing operations in preparation for the move back into the much-talked about community centre later in the year, with a grand opening planned in January 2009.
Initially started by local residents to offer support for working mothers and a new immigrant population over 35 years ago, the centre continued to offer many of these services, including occasional childcare and English classes, until its demolition in 2006. The replacement Centre, besides housing the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre, will feature a 26 place child care centre.
The varied activities of the Neighbourhood Centre were spread in venues around the area after the original centre was demolished to make way for the new building, while its administration is from borrowed space in Surry Hills Public School.
Last month the organisation held a planning and consultation day, gauging community needs and reviewing the current programs.
Chair of the Neighbourhood Centre, Linda Scott, said, around 50 people showed on the day, giving advice on how best to utilise the new centre.
“The overwhelming message we received from the community was the need for a strong independent community organisation dedicated to assisting the most disadvantaged in the Surry Hills community.
“Whilst the suburb has changed a lot in the past few years, there are still many amongst us who are struggling with the day to day challenges of inner city living.
“Our charter is to meet the needs of the most disadvantaged in our community, and to assist them in meeting those challenges,’ she said.
Ms Scott said the Centre will continue to meet the needs of the increasing trend of families with children in the inner city through the provision of childcare and playgroups.
“Over the coming weeks, the staff and volunteers at the Centre will look closely at the suggestions from the community, and how they fit with our current programs or provide opportunities for new initiatives. We will also look closely at how the space in the new community centre, including the hall, can be best utilised to achieve these goals.’
Strengthening links with organisations such at the Surry Hills Public Tenants’ Association, Sydney City Council and St Vincent’s Community Health and Hospital are also high on the agenda.
“Together, we hope to be able to provide the best possible support and community services for people at need in our community,’ she said.
Branded Sydney’s most environmentally-friendly community centre, design features include an internal glass bio-filtration atrium where selected plants filter the air before it is naturally cooled and re-circulated throughout the building. The design will achieve an equivalent five-star Greenstar rating due to its environmental initiatives which includes a green roof which helps cool the building in summer and insulate it during winter and rainwater tanks for collection and re-use.
Sophisticated building management systems which will control the internal environmental conditions, artificial lighting and external sunshade shutters and monitor water and energy consumption are also features.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said the Centre would set a benchmark in Environmentally Sustainable Design, showcasing cutting-edge innovations and demonstrating our commitment to environmentally responsible development.
The library will span two levels, the ground and lower ground floor levels, and will feature an expanded collection, dedicated children’s area and local studies area.
The community centre will be located on the first floor and will provide flexible meeting rooms as well as a large public meeting room for up to 120 people.