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After years of delays, setbacks and frustration, the east Auckland communities of Flat Bush and Ormiston look set to finally get their own public library.
Both the Howick Local Board and Auckland Council have talked for more than a decade about delivering such a facility in the area.
A 2012 community needs assessment formed the basis for an initial concept design for an integrated community centre and library in Flat Bush.
The local board voted more than five years ago to approve a particular block at the Ormiston Town Centre as the location for a library and community hub.
A council spokesperson said in 2021 the library and community hub project was put on hold as part of the council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the financial constraints in its emergency budget 2020-2021.
Fast forward four years and progress has finally arrived.
A report provided to the Howick Local Board at its most recent business meeting sought approval to fund and advance the delivery of a temporary library service in Flat Bush from 2025/2026.
“The [board’s] Long-term Plan includes $83 million between 2026-2031 to fund two key community facilities for the rapidly growing Flat Bush area: a Library/Community Hub and an Aquatic and Leisure Centre,” the report states.
“Work is continuing to deliver these permanent service solutions, led by council’s policy and parks and community facility teams with input from other key stakeholders, including mana whenua.
“It is likely to be some years before an asset-based service solution can be built and opened for service.”
Given that, the board wanted to advance a temporary library service in the community while elected members and staff work to implement the full-service solution.
The board voted at its recent business meeting to approve the commencement of a temporary library service in Flat Bush, beginning in quarter three of 2025/2026 financial year.
Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light says: “We know providing space for our communities to connect and grow is vital, and this temporary service delivers this outcome immediately while we work on delivering the larger, permanent Flat Bush Community Centre and Library.”
The board’s staff will identify and progress a multi-year lease agreement, of five years with the option to extend, with the landlord of suitable premises for the purpose of providing the temporary library service to the Flat Bush community.
A one-off capital investment of $640,000 in 2025/2026 was approved to fund the design, fit-out and project management of the physical lease space.
The temporary library will be located within the Ormiston Town Centre and will be available 55 hours per week over seven days.
An ongoing operational investment, estimated at $870,000 per annum, will be aligned to the term of the lease.
A spokesperson for the shopping centre says: “We’re continuing to work closely with the Howick Local Board and look forward to supporting another community facility at Ormiston Town Centre.”
- Disclosure: Howick Local Board deputy chairperson Bo Burns is the owner of the Eastern Times.
