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Council backflip as community fight saves three loved centres from axe

THREE libraries that were to shut by September would be kept open until at least mid-2018 under a new plan to be considered by council’s administrators. Council officers now recommend the planned closures of Barwon Heads, Chilwell and Highton libraries should be delayed, which will likely see Geelong’s next councillors make the final call.

“The proposal to close the three branches is based on a strong rationale of social equity and financial imperatives across the whole of the municipality including rate capping ... This remains unchanged.” BRETT LUXFORD

THREE libraries that were to shut by September would be kept open until at least mid-2018 under a new plan to be considered by council’s administrators.

Council officers now recommend the planned closures of Barwon Heads, Chilwell and Highton libraries be delayed, citing the results of a public survey as a key factor.

Their report, to be considered by council administrators at a public meeting on June 27, calls for an extra $476,000 to be allocated to keep the libraries operating through to June 2018.

It would be the second stay of execution that has been granted for the three libraries, following the slated initial deadline of June 30.

The Geelong Regional Library Corporation had recommended the three relatively small branches close at the end of the month.

The mooted closures have sparked huge grassroots campaigns to save the three branches, with public rallies and several petitions totalling more than 6200 lodged with City Hall.

Almost 200 people took part in a survey, while 185 people also contacted the council.

Key issues raised through the process included: THE loss of direct library services in the neighbourhood, including the ability to borrow and return books, followed by WI-FI and internet services; THE distance to other library branches; A PREFERENCE to walk or ride to the libraries; and A LACK of parking and public transport.

The decision has also drawn strong criticism from local MPs in the federal and Victorian governments, such as Sarah Henderson, Lisa Neville and Simon Ramsay.

In the new report, council’s investment and attraction director, Brett Luxford, remains steadfast that the libraries should shut.

“The proposal to close the three branches is based on a strong rationale of social equity and financial imperatives across the whole of the municipality including rate capping,” he said. “This remains unchanged.” However, he argues that the impacts of the proposed closures need to be better understood and should be considered in conjunction with a citywide social infrastructure plan.

“The (plan) will establish the future needs and priorities for investment in community/ social infrastructure,” Mr Luxford said.

“An assessment of the City of Greater Geelong library branches needs to be a key element of this review.”

Mr Luxford forecasts that a progress report on the review of the social infrastructure plan would come back to the council in March.

His recommendation is the council extend funding for the libraries for the full 2017-18 year, taking the council’s overall annual investment to $9.74 million.

That would be an annual increase for the sector to 5.1 per cent — well above the State Government-imposed 2 per cent rate cap for 2017-18.

With the new Leopold Library to open the following year, options for savings in operational costs should be explored, the report advises.