Development of a New Collection Storage Facility for the National Library of Australia at Hume, ACT

Objective

The primary aim of the proposed work is to construct a facility with the capacity to support the NLA’s ongoing storage needs within the legislative requirements of the National Library Act 1960 and the Library’s Service Charter.¹

Need

In order to fulfil its legislated role, and to meet the delivery obligations of its Service Charter, the NLA has a requirement for additional storage space within close proximity to the main library building.²

All of the library’s current facilities are at, or nearing, full capacity. Storage capacity at the main library and Hume Annexe repository will be exhausted by early to mid-2006; while the Hume repository is full.³

Further, the NLA’s lease on the Hume Warehouse repository expires on 30 June 2006, with a one-year option to renew. The facility lacks appropriate insulation and air-conditioning and is deemed to be unsuitable for long-term use by the NLA.⁴

The lease on the Hume Annexe repository expires on 17 May 2013. The building in its current form is considered to be suitable for long-term library storage use, but will reach full capacity in 2006.⁵

Scope

The NLA proposal describes a single facility comprising two modules accessed by an Operations Area.⁶ Module 1, intended for the storage of hard copy newspapers, will be three storeys high with a total footprint area of 1, 100 square metres. Module 2, designed for the storage of other paper-based materials, will be one storey high with a total footprint area of 2, 000 square metres.⁷

Work elements required to meet the NLA’s objectives comprise:

• bulk earthworks and site preparation;
• services infrastructure;
• building envelope works and services;
• siteworks and landscape; and
• building fit-out, equipment and furnishings.⁸

Works to specific areas will include:

Operations Area

• public entry;
• work space for one to three staff;
• staff lunch area/kitchenette;
• public reading area;
• toilets; and
• loading dock.

Module 1

• two levels of 2.5 – 2.6 metre clear height mezzanine floor structure;
• access stairs;
• handrails; and
• access hoist.

Module 2

• double-sided high rise adjustable shelving;
• steel guide rails for stock picking machine; and
• walkways and fire egress paths.

Exterior

• 1.8 metre perimeter security fence;
• automatic sliding access gate;
• four car-parking spaces;
• truck turning space;
• security lighting;
• safe roof access system; and
• hard and soft landscape treatment for dust minimisation.⁹

It is intended that the proposed facility will have a design life of 40 years.¹⁰

Project Delivery

The NLA proposes to adopt a design and construct project delivery system in an attempt to reduce the risk presented by time constraints associated with the expiry of the Hume Warehouse lease in 2006.¹¹

Cost

The total estimated cost of the proposed works is $9.9 million. This cost includes:

• management and design fees;
• land purchase;
• capital works;
• book relocation; and
• contingencies.¹²

The cost estimate does not include:

• Goods and Service Tax (GST).¹³

Value for Money

The NLA believes the proposed development to be a cost-effective property solution. The NLA considered eight options to meet its project objectives.¹⁴ Of these, Option 3 was identified by the NLA as being the most “beneficial” and also “the most acceptable on the basis of a risk and benefits analysis.”¹⁵

In addition, the NLA expects the project to benefit the local ACT community by generating employment opportunities for sub-contractors and skilled tradespeople.¹⁶

Appendix C, Submission No. 1, paragraph 41 Back

ib id, paragraphs 17 – 18 and paragraph 21 Back

ib id, paragraphs 18 - 19 Back