Stanthorpe Library expansion officially opened

The Southern Downs’ vibrant cultural sector has been given a welcome boost with the grand opening of the Stanthorpe Library expansion.

Officially opened on Friday, the $6 million project was partially funded via $2 million from the former Coalition Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) and will offer residents a variety of new and improved services.

Boasting a new-look larger area, the expansion will allow the facility to be used for a wide range of different community functions and activities, as well as more room for the library’s extensive book collection.

Leader of The Nationals and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the expansion would offer major benefits to the entire Southern Downs community.

“Our local libraries are the lifeblood of our communities as they bring us together for a variety of community events and offer local access to a wide array of educational resources,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The Southern Downs has a proud reputation of being a cultural powerhouse and I’m confident this library expansion will only further that reputation.”

The funds for the Stanthorpe Library expansion were part of a $2.1 million package granted to Southern Downs via the BBRF in 2021, with the other funds going towards upgrading the power supply at the Warwick Karting Club and three significant planning projects by the Southern Downs Regional Council and the Stanthorpe & Granite Belt Chamber of Commerce.

“The success of these projects is further proof that the Albanese Labor Government’s decision to callously scrap the BBRF was a devastating blow to regional communities,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Labor has shown time and again that it doesn’t care about regional Australia.

“However, The Nationals are committed to ensuring regional, rural and remote Australia gets its fair share.”

ENDS