Sunshine Coast Council will spend $1.8 million to begin transforming its former admin building into an integrated community library at Nambour.

The funds form part of the Division 10 Budget, with $700,000 to be put towards the Nambour (Namba) Place revitalisation project.

Planning and design work will commence on the ground floor of the Eddie De Vere building next month, with completion expected by the end of the year.

The interim changes will see the former corporate office space, become an integrated community library-focused building with workspaces.

It will include accessible meeting and activity spaces, and feature high-tech equipment.

Key interim changes include:

• a dedicated area within the foyer designed to foster a welcoming and inviting environment for the community.
• bookable activity space to serve as a multi-purpose area for community activities.

A Council spokesperson says the multi-purpose community space addresses the need for versatile venues, capable of hosting a variety of activities.

The initiative follows findings from a 2022 audit of local community venues and extensive consultation.

Equipped with modern audio-visual capabilities, the space aims to support community meetings and other offerings.

Pricing to hire the meeting and activity spaces are yet to be determined.

You can find more information here or visit sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au and search “Nambour Centre Activation Project”.

Division 10 Councillor David Law says the interim changes to the building marks the start of a comprehensive redevelopment for the suburb.

“This represents our commitment to creating a more community-focused space within the Nambour administration building precinct,” Cr Law says.

“We’re excited to make these changes contributing to a vibrant and welcoming hub for our community.”

Council continues to foster the Nambour cultural scene through initiatives such as Forecourt Live!, and with ongoing support for events like the Namba Street Fair, Tramfest, and the Nambour Twilight Markets. 

The Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) has allowed for private venues such as The Presynct and The Vogue to begin hosting live music events.

Eddie De Vere building history

The Eddie De Vere is a prominent building in the Sunshine Coast’s historic hub of Nambour, a creative and culturally active town also known as the “heart of the hinterland”.

Built in 1977, the Currie Street commercial property was comissioned by Shire Chairman of the Maroochy Shire, Cr Eddie De Vere.

He ordered the construction of a new local government precinct to include local government shire chambers, an office building, library, and town square.

The building was designed by a well-known architect and town planner, James Birrell, who specialised in public architecture.

His body of work includes projects for the Brisbane City Council, such as the Toowong Library, Centenary Pool Centre and Wickham Terrace Car Park.

The design of the Council chambers’ facade utilised a form and layout derived from the “Golden Mean”, an ancient Greek architecture ratio that references natural order.

Information: Sunshine Coast Open House.