A former Belmont High School principal wants some of the millions to be spent on the Rippleside playground redevelopment redirected to libraries so opening hours aren’t slashed.
But council said the Rippleside project was a priority and needed to be delivered due to funding agreements with other levels of government.
Due to a claimed $762,000 2023-24 budget shortfall, the region’s library manager, the Geelong Regional Library Corporation, has proposed to close most City of Greater Geelong libraries on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, slash Geelong Heritage Centre services and warned some staff vacancies may not be filled.
If adopted the changes would be applied from July 1.
Fifty-year Drumcondra resident and former Belmont High School principal, David White, 80, said the Rippleside playground redevelopment should be rethought.
“We’ve got a cash strapped council and it’s an issue of priorities,” Mr White said.
“Why are we spending $3.55m on refurbishing a playground when there’s a proposal to slash library opening times and other services?
“Having being an educator for 40 years; teacher, principal and so on, I’m just a great believer in libraries. They are the centre of communities.
“As a community our libraries should be sacrosanct, they shouldn’t be subject to the politics of ‘I’ll give you this but you’ve got to give me something back’.
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“At a subterranean level there’s a fair amount of wedge politics going on from both sides.”
Geelong council has partnered with the Olivia Foundation, which focuses on inclusive issues, and the Victorian and federal governments to deliver the Rippleside Park inclusive play space.
The playground is planned to have disability access and be used by people across the region.
Council said it would incorporate multi-sensory and nature play elements, with opportunities for physical, creative and social play.
Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said due to the city’s budget position any increase to library funding would need to come “at the expense of other community services or facilities.”
“Having already put $80m in capital projects on hold as part of this challenging budget, all of the funded projects have been categorised through our review as essential to deliver,” Mr Sullivan said.
“Some, including the Rippleside Inclusive Playspace, have external funding contributions with a deadline for completion. It has been highly anticipated by many people in our community for a number of years.”
Acting council chief executive Kaarina Phyland said another meeting would be held with the GRLC in the week of June 5 and both parties were “much closer” to agreeing about how libraries could operate “with the level of funding available, without the need for service reductions.”
“The city has consistently advocated to the GRLC for no closures of libraries on any days of the week,” Ms Phyland said.
People who made written submissions to council’s draft budget, and indicated they wanted to be heard verabally, will be able to speak to council on June 6 and 7 at the council chamber on Little Malop St. Each session will start at 6pm.
The decision that will decide funding for City of Greater Geelong libraries in 2023-24, and other major budget matters, appears likely to be made by nine of 11 councillors.
Windermere ward councillor Kylie Grzybek resigned on May 29, and councillor Peter Murrihy is on leave until July 3.
The Victorian Electoral Commission countback to elect Ms Grzybek’s replacement is scheduled for June 28, a day after council’s 2023-24 budget is due to be voted on by councillors.
Socialist Alliance candidate for the Windermere ward at the 2020 City of Greater Geelong council election Sarah Hathway confirmed she wanted to serve on council.
Ms Hathway said she wanted to fight budget cuts proposed by council, and called for the countback to be held before the budget vote.
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