Strong interest drives next stage of Community Precinct consultation

Published on 15 September 2026

Livingstone Shire Council would like to thank the many community members who attended Saturday's Community Information Session on the future of Yeppoon's Library, Community Centre and broader community infrastructure.

The session provided an opportunity for residents to view the Options Analysis, high-level concept material and planning investigations undertaken to date, ask questions of project representatives and provide feedback on the future of community facilities in Yeppoon.

Mayor Adam Belot said the level of attendance and engagement demonstrated how important the future of the Library, Community Centre and Strengthening Family Connections is to the local community.

“There is no doubt our community cares deeply about these facilities and the services they provide,” Mayor Belot said.

“We heard a range of questions, concerns and ideas on Saturday, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to attend and share their views.

“What was clear is that people want to better understand how all the pieces of this project fit together and how the options currently being considered have been developed.”

To continue the conversation, Council will host a Community Presentation and Q&A Session at Yeppoon Town Hall on the evening of Tuesday 22 September.

Residents will have the opportunity to hear directly from the project team, gain a clearer understanding of the investigations undertaken to date and hear answers to some of the most commonly raised questions about the options currently being considered.

"We know there are still questions about how the options were developed, what investigations have taken place and what happens next," Mayor Belot said.

"This session is an opportunity to walk the community through that information and continue the conversation."

The future of Yeppoon's Library, Community Centre and Strengthening Family Connections services is an important part of Council's long-term planning for a growing community, however it is not being considered in isolation.

The Options Analysis examines how library services, community services, civic facilities and community spaces can work together to support future population growth, changing community needs and increasing demand for services and shared facilities.

While Council has been planning for future community infrastructure for many years, the specific options currently being considered have been developed over recent months following extensive investigations, due diligence and the emergence of new opportunities.

Council has deliberately undertaken investigations and developed the Options Analysis before commencing broader community engagement to ensure the community has meaningful information to consider and provide feedback on.

"Before presenting to the community, Council needed to understand what opportunities existed, what constraints existed and what options were realistically available," Mayor Belot said.

"The purpose of this engagement is to share that information, answer questions and hear directly from our community before Councillors are asked to make any decisions."

The recently completed Community Heart engagement and the current Options Analysis represent two separate but connected stages of the project.

The Community Heart engagement focused on understanding what people value about the existing facilities and what they want to see into the future. The Options Analysis takes that feedback and considers it alongside population growth, service demand, facility requirements and broader community infrastructure needs.

The engagement confirmed strong support for Library, Strengthening Family Connections and Community Centre services while highlighting increasing demand, capacity and accessibility limitations and the need to plan for future growth.

"The Library, Community Centre and Strengthening Family Connections are highly valued community assets, but demand continues to grow and expectations continue to change," Mayor Belot said.

"We know our community deserves a modern library and community facilities that can meet current and future needs.

"The question Council is considering is not whether these services are important. The question is how they are best delivered into the future."

While the Options Analysis identified a recommended planning option, no final decision has been made.

Any future decision will only occur after a report is presented to a Council meeting and formally considered by Councillors.

"A recommended planning option is not a Council decision," Mayor Belot said.

"Councillors have not voted on this matter and no decision has been made.

"That's why discussions with stakeholders remain important as Council continues to assess the opportunities and challenges associated with each option."

Residents wishing to attend the Community Presentation and Q&A Session at Yeppoon Town Hall on Tuesday 22 September can register via Council's Humanitix page.

Further information about the project, including the Options Analysis, concept material, frequently asked questions and feedback opportunities, is available via Council's Get Involved page at: https://getinvolved.livingstone.qld.gov.au/future-community-precinct