Matt Hewson
Five Geelong councillors will attend a community forum to hear the questions the public were not allowed to ask at last week’s council meeting regarding library services.
Mayor Trent Sullivan and Crs Melissa Cadwell, Eddy Kontelj, Jim Mason and Ron Nelson will engage with the community on Saturday, June 3 at 10am at the public event atGeelong West Town Hall.
At the May 23 council meeting the Mayor restricted question time to the allotted 45 minutes and responded with a blanket statement, leaving many of the specifics of the questions unanswered.
Save Geelong West Library spokesperson Angela Carr said the forum was a chance for the council to correct its mistake of silencing the community on the issue.
“From our perspective, this behaviour by the council was disgraceful, and it looks like they probably panicked at the last moment,” Ms Carr said.
“So Saturday’s meeting is basically offering council an opportunity to redeem themselves by facing the community that is so badly impacted by these appalling budget cuts.
“It will be very interesting to hear what they have to say. They probably have some pre-orchestrated responses, but at least the community will have an opportunity to have their voices heard in the way we weren’t last week.”
Brownbill Ward councillor Melissa Cadwell said she supported the community’s wishes to see libraries funded properly.
“I’m looking forward to speaking with the Geelong community on Saturday morning, but more importantly, I’m looking forward to hearing what the community has to say,” Cr Cadwell said.
“I believe the community has sent a clear message… that they want council to increase funding from the level set out in the current draft council 2023-24 budget.”
“I don’t support the answering of questions in block form at council question time. If a resident has taken the time to come down to a council meeting, they should be able to ask their questions.”
“Further, council shouldn’t pick and choose when it extends council question time, and when it pulls up at 45 minutes; council should be consistent in its approach. I’m speaking on my own behalf, other councillors may have other views.”
Mayor Sullivan said the councillors were looking forward to the opportunity to hear from the community.
“Councillors will also participate in budget submissions review panel sessions next Tuesday and Wednesday night; during these sessions, everyone who made a submission and nominated that they would like to be heard in person, will have an opportunity to express their views to the panel,” he said.
“The City is continuing discussions with the GRLC about how they can operate all libraries in our region with the funding available, with fewer service impacts than what they are proposing.
“Just as we are looking for ways to operate as efficiently as possible so that we can deal with rising costs, we are asking our service providers to do the same.”
