Thirty years since the community asked for it and 18 months since the establishment of a pop-up library/community hub, it is indeed great news that a site has been secured for a permanent home for the South Dunedin community hub, Dunedin South MP Clare Curran said today.

The community has been clear that it wanted a site close to the centre of South Dunedin, with access from the main street and the proposed complex on the corner of King Edward Street and Macandrew Road acknowledges this wish. It has both car parks and access to the bus service, which will be welcome, she said.

It has taken almost 30 years but the community can now finally focus on the services and facilities to be provided within the facility. The plan is to use about 1100m2 of the site for the library and the community complex. Suggestions from the community have included a library, internet access, youth hub, community meeting rooms, public toilets, a DCC service centre and a space for community agencies. Also options for other services like postal and banking have been noted.

We now wait for Council to produce a concept design to progress the community discussion further.

My hope is that the Dunedin City Council has budgeted for a community hub that demonstrates its ongoing commitment to this essential part of Dunedin, Clare Curran said.

I applaud the work done by staff to secure this excellent site. Let the work begin

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