Stop the demolition of the Helensburgh Community Hall
Our mission is to raise community awareness, share accurate information and promote respectful discussion about initiatives that impact the 2508 Community.
What is happening?
The demolition
Wollongong City Council plans to demolish the Helensburgh Community Hall due to 'unmanageable water ingress' following unsuccessful maintenance attempts since 2008. This decision is based solely on internal staff recommendations; no independent engineering reports or repair cost estimates have been released to the public.
A much loved community asset
The Hall has a large multi purpose auditorium and indoor basket ball court. Prior to its closure in 2014, the Hall served as a performing arts, indoor sports, private and public event space and was well used and much loved by the 2508 community.
The new proposal
WCC plans to partially fund the new Library and Community Centre (no auditorium sized hall included) by selling the existing library site at 57 Walker Street. If retained and repurposed instead of sold, the library site could provide over 50 essential parking spaces for the Helensburgh CBD and the Community Hall
Have your say!
Community Hall (Auditorium) lost forever?
The current proposal promises less space, fewer facilities, and higher costs.
We’ve broken down the key facts that show why this plan is a bad deal for Helensburgh.
Lack of evidence
WCC’s plan to demolish is based on internal staff recommendations. No independent condition report or potential repair costs have been provided to date.
Poor engagement
Our population has doubled, yet analysis of Council’s own reports reveals that engagement from 2017–2024 captured less than 3% of 2508 community opinion.
High initial costs
The cost to purchase land for new facilities plus design costs is close to $5 million, even before construction begins.
Significant downsizing
Council has advised that the proposed new Library/Centre facility will be no larger than 1000m². The combined area of our existing facilities is approximately 1500 m2. A 30% reduction in floor space.
Not like-for-like
Council has advised that the new Library / Centre will not include a basketball court or large dedicated hall (auditorium) like the existing facility.
Bushfire risks
If repurposed, the existing Hall is a safer "place of gathering" during emergencies like bushfires; located 100m from the bush, it avoids the high-risk location of the proposed Library / Centre adjacent to bushland. The new facility may incur significant building costs to mitigate fire risk.
Land for community purpose
Because the land on which the Hall is located was made available to council for "community" purposes, it is subject to certain legislation that restricts its availability for other uses. WCC have not advised otherwise.
Demolition implications
The prolonged closure doesn’t support the Hall as having an ‘Essential Public Purpose’ and its demolition would further risk the ‘Hall’ land as it is potentially obliged to offer “community” land to the Local Aboriginal Land Council at no profit to Council.
Missed parking opportunity
If repurposed, the existing library site could provide 50 much needed car parking spaces in town. The number of proposed car parking spaces at the new Library / Centre is unknown.
Questions for Council
Demand for independent assessment:
Council must provide independent engineering reports to prove the Hall is truly "beyond repair." The community needs to know if the building is structurally unsound or if it has simply been neglected.
Loss of essential space:
Demolishing the Hall strips the 2508 area of its only large-scale indoor public venue for sports and the arts. Replacing a high-functioning community hub with a smaller project is not a fair trade for our local families.
Reduced community resilience:
Council must explain how removing our primary ‘’place of gathering’’ and vital town parking protects us; losing these assets leaves us with a less resilient community and higher risks during emergencies.
Have your say!
Please complete the survey to have your say on the future of the Helensburgh Community Hall.
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