Budget to add $356k into libraries, $565k for pools, $47k to lifeguards

Library opening hours won’t change, and more funding would be put into lifeguards and the Kardinia Pool under a decision to be voted on this week.

Geelong councillors will vote to increasing library funding, keep the Kardinia pool opened during winter, and reinstate funding for lifeguards at Ocean Grove,13th Beach and Bancoora beaches.

Almost a million dollars is expected to be added to the City of Greater Geelong’s 2023-24 spending to stop major changes at the city’s libraries, at the Kardinia Park pool and to Bellarine Peninsula lifeguard services.

After a passionate and prolonged campaign of community protest calling for more funding, council is proposing to add an extra $356,000 to the budget for the city’s libraries in 2023-24, an increase of $596,000 on council’s 2022-23 contribution.

Council’s overall spend on libraries in 2023-24 is due to be more than $14m.

The increased funding is expected to allow the city’s libraries manager, the Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC), to maintain opening hours at all City of Greater Geelong libraries, including the recently redeveloped Boronggook Drysdale Library.

City Hall also wants to spend $565,000 to keep the Kardinia Park outdoor pool opened in winter. That follows an almost 3000-signature petition calling for the move.

After surf life savings clubs on the Bellarine Peninsula warned some beaches may go unpatrolled in summer, council also wants to allocate $47,500 to lifeguards.

The cash is due to go toward paid lifeguards at Ocean Grove, Bancoora and 13th Beach during summer.

All budget changes are due to be voted on at a council meeting on June 27.

Acting City of Greater Geelong council chief executive Kaarina Phyland said the community had made it clear the city needed “to step in to protect library closures proposed by the GRLC”.

“Whilst it is disappointing that at this stage the GRLC have determined not to assist the city by allocating a portion of the $2m in free cash reserves … towards maintaining libraries opening hours, we will advocate to the GRLC that they maintain services and jointly advocate with us to the state government to restore state funding for libraries to the 50:50 it has been in the past,” Ms Phyland said.

She said the GRLC declined to meet with city officers and the municipal monitor to collaborate on an outcome together.

“Following our analysis of the GRLC’s costs based on an email they provided us, the city has determined that a total $14.304 million contribution – a significant $596,000 more than the current year – will allow all libraries to maintain their current hours.

“Our contribution to libraries per resident was already amongst the highest in Victoria, and an additional $356,000 would reinforce the value the Council places on libraries.”

City of Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said: “This has been a difficult budget from the outset given the rising costs we are facing. We’ve heard the feedback, carefully considered all submissions, and our final budget will now be determined by a vote during Tuesday night’s meeting.”

More than 955 submissions were made during community feedback for council’s draft budget.

Submissions were dominated by concern about libraries and the Kardinia Aquatic Centre.

If council’s changes to its budget are approved on Tuesday, the city will forecast a $345,000 surplus in 2023-24, down from $1.28m projected surplus under the draft budget.

Originally published as Budget to add $356k into libraries, $565k for pools, $47k to lifeguards