Geelong libraries: Tensions boil over in community fight

Police were called to Geelong’s council chamberas tensions boiled over about the future of the city’s libraries. See the video.

• Numbers behind the stoush
• Library fight: Councillor gone at crucial stage
• Library manager told to save $762,000 next year

Police were called to the City of Greater Geelong council chamberon Tuesday night as tensions boiled over about the future of the city’s libraries.

The council is locked in a funding dispute with the manager of the city’s libraries, the Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC), and want it to find $762,000 in savings.

GRLC proposed to close three libraries across Geelong but backflipped late last week.

In response to its budget shortfall, the GRLC said it would close most City of Greater Geelong libraries on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, slash Geelong Heritage Centre services and warned some GRLC staff vacancies may not be filled.

The GRLC warned more changes to the Geelong’s libraries could be needed to meet the funding shortfall.

Security guards prevent community members entering the council chambers on Tuesday night. Geelong. May 23.

Councillors have repeatedly questioned if more changes are needed.

On Tuesday concerned community members, including parents with children and the elderly, protested changes to Geelong libraries outside the council chamber on Little Malop St.

But when a group of about 10 tried to enter the council chamber about 6pm they were told it was full.

The Geelong Advertiser was told by multiple sources four police officers were called to the chamber about 6.30pm, and remained there for an hour as the council meeting progressed.

Geelong resident John Quelch, stopped from entering the chamber, said he was disappointed people were refused entry.

“It’s not good enough… the people that were locked out were really hopping mad… they were mainly an elderly group of people,” Mr Quelch said.

“We just started demanding our democratic right to be let in.”

He said most of the group entered the chamber after a 15-minute tussle.

“Common sense prevailed, although it took a bit of a tussle,” he said.

Sarah Hathway, who filmed the tussle, said Tuesday’s events were a “bizarre” episode.

“We were told council chambers were at capacity,” Ms Hathway said.

“When we got in, there were still a bunch of empty seats and a whole of standing room at the back. I just think it was pretty appalling.”

Protesters rallying outside City of Greater Geelong Council chambers before the meeting. Members of the Save Barwon Heads Library group in yellow hats.

An Australian Services Union member was also caught up in the tussle.

More than 20 people had questions for council about the future of libraries in Geelong but none were answered at the meeting on Tuesday night within 45 minutes of question time.

Individual council responses to each question were posted online.

Community members described the process as “undemocratic” and shouted “it’s a joke” and “shame” when question time was ended.

City of Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan has repeatedly extended question time at previous council meetings.

Protesters outside City of Greater Geelong Council chambers (May 23, 2023). Members of the Save Barwon Heads Library group in yellow hats.

The same was not done at Tuesday’s meeting to accommodate library questions.

Acting Geelong council chief executive Kaarina Phyland said: “Question Time was not extended in this instance due to the large number of pre-submitted questions.”

Mr Sullivan told the meeting in a pre-prepared statement council’s library funding for 2023-24 equated to $44 for each of the 276,000 residents expected to live in the region next year.

“On recent benchmarking, Ballarat invests $27.57 per resident, Bendigo $25.48 and Wyndham $30.33,” Mr Sullivan said.

“We have heard... the community do not support a reduction of services that is being proposed in many forms,” Mr Sullivan said.

In response to a public questions posted online, council said the Chilwell Library redevelopment was “a priority on the city’s list of on-hold projects” and wanted state government funding for it held until the end of 2023.

Construction of the Armstrong Creek library won’t be completed before June 2024.

Commenting on council’s action, Save Geelong West Library campaign organiser Angela Carr said: “They are elected representatives but they aren’t representing us. We won’t be silenced.”

Of Tuesday night’s events Ms Phyland said staff used counters to keep track of community members enteringthe meeting, and when capacity was reached, some were “unable” to enter.

Ms Phyland said council “welcome community feedback and address every single question we receive”.

“(Our) dictates that in situations where similar questions are received, these may be grouped together and a single answer provided by the council,” Ms Phyland said.

“Individual written responses were still provided to each submitter.

“As Question Time is limited to the first 45 minutes of a Council Meeting and Council had received 35 pre- submitted questions, a decision was made in line with council’s question and submission time policy to answer the 19 library questions in bulk.

“This prevented repetitive questions and answers, and enabled other submitters who raised a variety of other issues to be heard within the time allocated.

Referring to the GRLC, Councillor Eddy Kontelj told the meeting: “Not one person can tell me that any organisation out there is running so slick that it can’t find efficiencies and effectiveness in its organisation. We will do the same here, and we will be held to account for that as well.”

South Barwon Labor MP Darren Cheeseman has submitted two petitions to council; one to adequately staff the Armstrong Creek library (216 signatures) and the other adequately fund the Highton library (520 signatures).

Both the GRLC draft budget and the Geelong council draft budget are opened for community feedback.

Geelong council was contacted for comment on the tussle.

Originally published as Geelong libraries: Tensions boil over in community fight