Read all about it, Flatbush

KEY DETAILS:

• $489,000 has been allocated towards a temporary library for the first six months of operation
• It will be located inside the Ormiston Town Centre, near the food court (240 Ormiston Road, Flat Bush)
• The library will offer key services like full library access, computers, printing, and community activities.

Flat Bush finally got the news it’s been waiting for - a library facility is coming to Ormiston Town Centre. While the full community centre and library are still a few years away, the Howick Local Board has secured a space for a temporary library service right in the heart of Flat Bush.

Set to open in early 2026, the temporary facility will be located just outside the food court at Ormiston Town Centre.

Recognising the need for a dedicated space where the community can learn, connect, and grow, the local board has worked hard to make this project possible. Despite tight budgets, $489,000 has been allocated for the first six months of operation, with ongoing annual costs expected to be $870,000.

The temporary library will offer essential services:

• access to Auckland Council’s full library collection (over 3.4 million items)
• computers
• printing
• community activities.

It represents a significant step forward for Flat Bush as it continues to grow.

But this project is about more than books. It’s about creating a welcoming space for people to gather, share ideas, study, and feel part of their community. As the population in Flat Bush increases, it's vital that public spaces evolve to meet the community's needs.

“We know providing space for our communities to connect and grow is vital, and this temporary service delivers this outcome sooner while we work on delivering the larger, permanent Flat Bush Community Centre and Library.” Local Board chair Damian Light says.,

“While finding the funding wasn’t easy, we prioritised this project to deliver on the promise made nearly twenty years ago.”

What’s coming next

Planning is also well underway for the permanent Flat Bush Library and Community Centre, along with a future Pool and Leisure Centre, all of which are scheduled to be delivered over the next nine years.

A total of $83 million has already been earmarked for this investment. The permanent library is planned to be located just north of the food court at Ormiston Town Centre, with land already allocated for development.

The Howick Local Board remains committed to delivering these much-needed facilities and continues to advocate for their timely completion. The 2023 Local Board Plan clearly identifies the urgent need for improved community spaces, a need that Flat Bush residents know all too well.

To get the projects moving, the board recently approved a review to confirm community needs and investigate the options to deliver the best outcomes. This is expected to be completed over the next few months, reported back to the Howick Local Board in early 2026 once the new elected members for Flat Bush are onboard.