Stirling Coventry Library Lawns & Rotunda

We’re not quite ready to form the Citizen Panel yet however in the coming weeks we will release a Request for Proposal to help develop a masterplan for the site and help facilitate the Citizen Panel. The phase to on-board a consultant will take approximate 6-8 weeks. Once that is in place we will arrange the first Citizen Panel meeting.

You may have noticed Council has taken a little while to review the latest community feedback and decide on the next steps in relation to the Stirling Rotunda Project.

Many thanks for your contribution to the community consultation so far. What has become clear from the engagements undertaken to date is how important this whole site is as a central civic space for the Stirling community and beyond. The background and results of the latest community engagement on the Rotunda replacement can be found here: Stirling Rotunda Replacement - Stage 2 | Community Engagement Hub (ahc.sa.gov.au)

Much of the feedback received as part of this last round of the consultation was about the whole space and how it functions. You told us that creating a space to enjoy into the future by having a flexible, functioning open space is important. For example, some of the feedback from community members asked that Council pay attention to:

• historical issues
• cost
• support for Aboriginal acknowledgement
• value and importance of disability access
• the need for the Rotunda to accommodate multiple uses and needs, be flexible, functional and versatile
• the need for the site to accommodate a performance and event space
• the need for the space to be usable by all ages including youth and children
• the need for the site to accommodate more than one group at a time
• the importance of retention of the lawned area and library lawn space, and
• if budget allows, extra seating, bbq’s picnic tables, trees and repair of drainage issues.

In light of the above, we’re going to take a step back and look at the whole site, so it’s fit for purpose now and for the generations to come.

We've also been focused on assessment of The Remoteness artwork together with coordination of the removal which was undertaken on 15 May 2023.

As part of this whole of site approach we’re have sought expressions of interests from local resident/ business group that will be part of the project. The group will be made up of a balance of ages, gender and businesses/ residents.

Update September 2022

Council received feedback from 472 Participants in this second round of consultation on the Stirling Rotunda. The feedback showed:

• support for a rotunda replacement is high with 91% of participants wanting a replacement
• 55% wanted a traditional rotunda
• 34% wanted a modern rotunda
• 7% said they did not want a rotunda
• 84% of respondents said they would use and value one of the future proposed rotundas.

“There were additional comments received during the consultation that were of a more qualitative/subjective nature such as wanting the rotunda to have a village feel, be inviting, be built with natural materials and accommodating a range of diverse uses.

“It is noted that the consultation was specifically around the high level rotunda replacement structure and did not touch on the wider site as a whole from a Master Plan/Urban Design perspective. Such a plan would consider the use of the rotunda in the context of the whole site at the Stirling Coventry Library, upgrade of the grassed area, use of the site for events, pedestrian movements, landscape upgrades, lighting, public art, the RSL monument and any other urban design considerations. Such a plan would also consider the qualitative comments that were raised in this round of the consultation.

The full community engagement outcomes report is available here.

As a result of the feedback Council will consult with some specific community and business groups more closely to determine the best way forward for the new rotunda and the area surrounding it to ensure it meets the needs of those using the space.

Stage 2 Consultation

Replacement concept options for the Stirling Rotunda were presented to Council in late Feb 2022. Concept options were based on community feedback from the Stage 1 consultation undertaken in 2019. In addition to community feedback the following was also considered in the final concepts:

• Landscape design work was undertaken to determine the best location for a replacement structure taking into account use, services and trees
• Design work was undertaken with an indigenous designer to come up with a concept design for a modern structure
• A Workshop was held with Council Elected members in November 2020
• Architectural design work was undertaken to determine what was possible, and efficient, to build using the design concept as a base
• Work was undertaken to determine options to alleviate the lawn drainage issues
• Preliminary cost estimates were obtained for the new structure and landscape works.

Further information is available in the frequently asked questions.

Adelaide Hills Council is undertaking this consultation to engage the wider community, library lawn stakeholders and other interested parties to ensure that the Rotunda meets the needs and expectations of the community.

All feedback provided will be considered and presented back to Council.

Have Your Say

You can Have Your Say by providing your feedback:

1. Using the online feedback form below
2. Emailing engage@ahc.sa.gov.au
3. Mailing to Community Engagement Coordinator, PO Box 44, Woodside SA 5244
4. Phoning 8408 0400
5. Collecting a hardcopy feedback form from any Council Service Centre or Library at Gumeracha, Stirling or Woodside.
6. By attending our FREE sausage sizzle and chat session on the Stirling Library lawns from 3pm to 5:30pm on Friday 13 May.

The opportunity to provide feedback will close at 4pm, Monday 16 May 2022.

The rotunda located on the Stirling Library lawns was damaged in a car accident on 6 August 2018 and due to the significance of the damage, was required to be demolished.

The rotunda was built by the Stirling Apex Club as a Centenary of Federation project in 2001.

Community groups have been instrumental in the initial build of the rotunda and its dedication as a memorial as well as ongoing maintenance of the rotunda. The Stirling Library lawn is a very popular space with the community for passive recreation and events. With increasing demand on this space for events, it is a good time to review how the space is used and what facilities would best support the continued use by the community.

Stage 1 Consultation Outcomes

The Stage 1 consultation highlighted the following for consideration:

• Accommodate for the growing / changing role of the library and include greater connection and integration of design between the inside and the outside.
• Ensure the facility has power and WiFi access points.
• Potential functionality for musical performances and presentations.
• Include a functional ‘backdrop’ for a stage/amphitheater while also allowing an open line of sight across the space for traffic travelling in from Aldgate and driving through Stirling.
• A multi-purpose facility, with it being less of a rotunda and more an amphitheater
• Creatively include any new protection measures that need to be installed (i.e. ‘artistic’ bollards / Stirling Spheres).
• Location/placement to accommodate current and future use for events and activities (eg Fringe Events, Markets)
• Retain as much green space as possible and keep the open feel
• Recognition that the site gets a very large number of post school youth utilisation.