Minister Virginia Judge praised the ingenuity used at the site saying it was proof regional and rural areas can provide imaginative and cutting edge buildings.

“I am absolutely blown away by the project. It’s incredible to see a small shire providing its best to its people,” she said.

Formerly home to a supermarket, the building on Lorne Street was converted into state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly building through the vision of Junee Shire Council and Workshop 1 Dunn + Hillam Architects.

Incorporating parts of the existing building structure, the library has now become a leading site in displaying an environmentally friendly energy and water system.

The buildings heating and cooling system works using the surrounding environment.

As a results, Junee Shire Council will foot a smaller electricity bill with the system, expecting to use half the energy normally consumed by a building of its size.

Addressing the gathered crowd Ms Judge said the architecture, design and execution of the work made the project a phenomenal achievement for the community.

Junee mayor Lola Cummins said the library was the culmination of work council has completed to provide improved services.

“Defying the trend of small centres, Junee is growing in population. We have been improving amenities, not just to make it a better place to live, but a more desirable place to live.”