Pressure builds for libraries
GOVERNMENT pressure is building on the City of Greater Geelong over its decision to close three libraries across the city.
Influential Victorian Labor MP Lisa Neville has met with Geelong’s administrators and urged them to overturn their planned closure of Barwon Heads library at the end of September.
She has joined other MPs from the state and federal ranks in slamming the council, which has resolved to also close the Highton and Chilwell branches in three months’ time.
The Member for Bellarine told State Parliament a move to close the co-located Barwon Heads branch at the local primary school was “shortsighted” and should be abandoned.
“I respectfully call on the council administrators . . . to acknowledge that they have got this wrong, to agree to continue to open this library and to involve the community in its ongoing future,” Ms Neville said. “It is absolutely incorrect to close these libraries in small communities when this par- ticular public asset is so critical.”
The City of Greater Geelong last month received three petitions, with signatures from more than 6000 residents, opposing the closures.
Ms Neville will be joined by Federal Liberal MP Sarah Henderson at a rally at Barwon Heads library on June 18.
The rally has been organised by the newly formed Save Barwon Heads Community Library group.
The group says the library’s annual operating cost of $58,000 represents less than 1 per cent of the rates paid in Barwon Heads each year.
Ms Henderson has previously said the council had “treated its ratepayers very badly. This decision must be reversed”.
The issue will also be a hot topic when Geelong’s administrators hold a community meeting in Newtown on June 21.