Ngutungka Henley - a place for community

Ngutungka Henley will become a new community destination, with concept designs now finalised. Ngutungka is Kaurna for ‘Place of Knowledge’, and this building follows the completion of Ngutungka West Lakes in 2022.

The new build will be located on the existing library site at 378 Seaview Road, Henley Beach and will combine the library and the community centre. The build also incorporates the heritage-listed Henley Town Hall.

Ngutungka Henley is the result of extensive consultation with our community and work with our architects, JPE Architects.

The new hub is more than a library or community centre, like our vision shares, it’s a place to connect with one another, to be inspired and a place to just be.

Construction works have now commenced and the facility is anticipated to open in Late 2024. To monitor progress visit the City of Charles Sturt website, and search under Major Projects, Ngutungka Henley.

The Henley Beach Library and the Henley and Grange Community Centre are much loved places within our community.

We have the opportunity to bring the activities and services of both the library and community centre together to create a new central hub. This hub will be a place for community gatherings, the library and activities for the whole community to enjoy.

The hub consists of:

  • A new purpose-built building on the site of the existing library at 378 Seaview Road, Henley Beach and
  • The repurposing of our existing historic Henley Town Hall.

We started speaking with our community who use the library and community centre facilities in late 2021 and you can read more about it here. This stakeholder engagement informed the draft concept plan we are sharing with the community.


How to get involved

There are a variety of ways you can find out more and get involved:

Consultation closed Sunday 3 April.

Developing the Concept Plan

Key Project Information

The new hub is more than a library or community centre, like our vision says it’s a place to connect with other, to be inspired and a place to just be.

There will be a place for all the library facilities you are familiar with, whether that be the book and digital collection, computers and internet or a cosy place to sit and read a magazine or newspaper. There will be dedicated kid’s area and young adults collection and spaces to expand into to join story time, author talks, and other activities.

There will be multiple activity spaces for regular activities such as fitness groups, cooking and light meals, art workshops and social activities. Activity spaces will be available to be booked by the community for meetings, workshops and activities.

There will be multiple spaces to sit, relax, read or study including an outdoor under-cover area.

Council has made provision for a capital investment at Henley for a new library and community centre in its long term financial plan. The exact amount necessary to achieve the vision will be worked through as the design takes shape with a provisional cost plan and budget allocation presented to Council in May for their consideration.

To assist in funding the project the following Council properties will be sold:

  • 318 Seaview Road Henley Beach (former Colton electoral Office)
  • 194 Military Road Henley Beach (current community centre)
  • 136 North street Henley Beach (residential property)

As part of the design process, both Council planning and heritage architect staff and the State Heritage Branch will be consulted to ensure the final design aligns to planning and heritage requirements.

The current concept plan proposes direct entrance into the Town Hall from the new building on the southern side. The width of these access points are currently being investigated.

Investigations will be undertaken into incorporating car parking at the Henley Depot. The Woodworkers group and Toy Boys are based at this location and will continue to operate out of this space even if car parking is added.

In addition parking time limits in the car park are being considered to ensure car parks are available for people coming to use the community hub.

  • The canopy has been designed to reduce direct sun entering the space during peak summer. Modelling of the sun's movements has shown that the windows are in full shade until approx. 3.30pm where majority of the glazing is still protected until approx. 6pm. The video of the sun modelling can be viewed in the video and document library.
  • The glazing on the windows will be of high performance and this will also reduce glare.
  • Detailed thermal performance analysis will occur during the design documentation phase.
  • Greening of this portion of the site will be taken into consideration in the next phase of concept development.
  • A report will be presented to Council in May 2022 with the outcomes of the community engagement, the concept and cost plans.
  • Subject to Council endorsement construction will commence in late 2022 and take approximately 12 months to build.

The RSL is also undergoing an upgrade, which is separate to the community hub project. Council’s projects team are currently working closely with the RSL and work will start early May 2022.

We are also working closely with the RSL as part of the community hub project.