Architects appointed to Shellharbour City Council's $57 million City Hub project believe the site of the proposed complex is ideal, but activating the public spaces will be key to the project's future.

Earlier this month the council awarded a $1.2 million contract to DesignInc Pty Ltd to provide architectural services for the proposed hub, including the exterior and interior design of the building and open spaces for community use.

Due for completion by the end of 2016, the proposed hub will include a city library, museum, auditorium, council administration offices, council chambers and a city square.

Saliba's vote key to Shellharbour City Hub progress

DesignInc director Richard Does said the concept of "placemaking" - to understand and invest in what the community's interests are and incorporate that into a civic plaza - was important to a project like the City Hub.

"There is no point building all this and not having anyone use it," he said.

Mr Does said some people had a belief that a public space could be built and people would come, but the key to placemaking was activating the space.

That required understanding the demographics of the community and creating a place various groups would want to use.

In the case of the City Hub, that meant incorporating things such as shade and food places into the design and creating spaces where people could feel comfortable going into without spending money.

Having a new library as part of the project helped that.

DesignInc has partnered with design firms Lacoste Stevenson, Turf Design Studio and Place Partners for the City Hub project. They will prepare three concept plans for community comment before the end of the year.

The chosen plan will be the subject of a detailed design with a development application due to be submitted in March 2014, which the Joint Regional Planning Panel will determine.

Mr Does said the site, on the corner of Cygnet and College Avenues was "excellent".

The master plan for the Shellharbour City Centre involves extending Cygnet Avenue through to Lamerton Crescent.

Mr Does said the City Hub would provide incentives for surrounding landholders, which include Stockland, to develop land fronting College Avenue.

"You need public facilities to make a town centre work properly and this will be a step to bringing in more interest," he said.

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said it was important the design reflected "our dynamic, yet modest community".

"We have now moved to a stage where the community can make this their own," Cr Saliba said.