Bellarine MP Alison Marchant has accused the City of Greater Geelong for being “ready for a photo opportunity” at the opening of the Boronggook Drysdale Library when it knew it would not be able to fund its operational costs.
The new library was opened on May 5 just days after the City announced its 2023-24 budget, which exposed a shortfall in operational funding of the region’s libraries.
Barwon Heads, Geelong West and Highton libraries were facing closure due to a lack of funding, but still may operate on reduced hours, including Boronggook Drysdale.
The moves have angered residents who have organised rallies and bombarded council with letters, petitions and in-person meetings in protest of the changes.
At the Boronggook Drysdale Library official opening on May 5, Ms Marchant spoke of the state government’s $1 million contribution to building the library.
“In my address at the official opening of the Boronggook Drysdale Library, I expressed the importance of libraries, its social impacts and significance of its addition to residents of the north Bellarine region,” she said.
“Stating – we recognise that libraries enrich local communities by supporting a culture that values reading, learning and social connection.
“It is incredibly disappointing that CoGG were ready for the photo opportunity but not prepared to fund the Boronggook Drysdale Library’s operational costs.
“I congratulate the community for their continued advocacy. They have been diligent, passionate and extremely proficient in their arguments for change.
“I proudly stand with the community and support their calls for the council to do better. I believe the community feels swindled, when the council were happy to grandstand at its official opening knowing full well that they would not be funding its ongoing operation adequately.
“It is now time for the council to do the right thing. I respectfully ask the council to fund the GRLC fully and appropriately.”
Mayor Trent Sullivan said council was hoping to secure extra funding from the state government for next year’s budget.
“We will be having a conversation with the government over the next year in the hope of securing additional state funding to support our libraries in time for next year’s budget,” he said.
“We would appreciate Ms Marchant’s support to achieve this.
“Reflecting the value we place in libraries, we contributed $8.156 million towards the build of the Boronggook Drysdale Library, alongside the government’s $1 million.
“Our proposed budget for next year includes $13.948 million towards our region’s libraries, which represents a greater investment per resident than almost every other Council in Victoria.
“Neither we nor the community have been told at this point what the state government’s contribution to our libraries will be in 2023-24. This is a major concern considering our proposed allocation has been under such scrutiny.
“Traditionally the state government and local councils shared the cost of operating libraries 50-50. Over time, the state’s contribution has dropped to around 20 per cent, with councils now bearing about 80 per cent of the cost.
“Unfortunately, unlike local government, the state government does not release a draft budget for community feedback before adopting its final budget. Therefore, there is no formal process for the community to lobby the state for greater funding of the things it is passionate about, such as libraries.”
