$20m library funds ‘at risk’

Erin Pearson
COUNCIL will withdraw a $20 million promise for a new library and heritage centre if state and federal governments fail to commit their share of funding, according to a City Hall spokesperson.
The spokesperson said council’s commitment was subject to additional government funding.
Councillors have branded Geelong Regional Library and Heritage Centre as in “urgent need” of redevelopment.
Cr Barbara Abley, who holds council’s arts and culture portfolio, said time was running out.
“We will require $15 million from State Government and $15 million from Federal Government and we need them to cough that up quick,” she told last week’s council meeting.
“Julia (Gillard) better watch out because we’ll go up there to get it.
“We also need all the parties in the state election to show us their money.”
The Liberals committed $15 million for the redevelopment in the lead-up to August’s federal election. Labor failed to match the commitment.
State Government announced last week that Torquay would benefit for a $3 million Living Libraries program to renew public library infrastructure. Local Government Minister Richard Wynne said Torquay Library, which is in the marginal Labor seat of South Barwon, would receive $200,000 for refurbishment.
Geelong’s regional library, which is in the safe Labor seat of Geelong, was not on the funding list.
Mr Wynne said visits to Victoria’s public libraries were at record levels.
“More than 33 million visits are made to libraries each year, with more than 48 million items borrowed,” he said.