Libraries are our ‘beating heart’ and should be protected, councillors told at budget hearing

Almost a thousand people have raised issues with the council’s draft budget, seven times more than last year. On Tuesday night, dozens of those were able to voice their concerns in person with councillors.

Geelong councillors heard emotional pleas to protect the region’s libraries on Tuesday night. Picture: City of Greater Geelong

Geelong councillors heard heartfelt pleas to protect the city’s libraries as dozens of residents made verbal submissions to a special budget meeting at City Hall on Tuesday night.

Almost 1000 people have raised issues with the council’s draft 2023-24 budget, seven times more than last year.

Police and security guards greeted those attending the meeting, after tense scenes at a council meeting last month that saw scuffles and officers called to City Hall.

But the council’s first budget submissions hearing was far more subdued.

Despite expecting to hear more than 70 submissions, 24 residents spoke at the meeting which will be followed by a second hearing on Wednesday night.

Library funding and the winter closure of the pool at Kardinia Aquatic Centre dominated people’s concerns.

Concerned residents listen to a Q&A with councillors during a special forum at Geelong West Town Hall earlier this month. Picture: Alan Barber

Carol Hullin told councillors libraries were a vital aspect of the region’s education and wellbeing.

“The library should be a fundamental right for education and health,” Ms Hullin said.

“I was born without a library, but my daughter was not … the library should not be touched in budget or political discussions.

“Every time a budget comes, we shouldn’t have fear in our hearts.”

Emma Balkin, speaking on behalf of the Highton Library Community Group, asked why Highton, Geelong West, Chillwell and Barwon Heads had been “targeted” for reduced operating hours, and argued for community delegates to have a seat at the discussion table.

“What will prevent them from being targeted, for example, when Armstrong Creek (library) comes online in 2024-25?” Ms Balkin said.

“Given the current situation, I am sure the community will be forgiven for some loss of faith in the council’s capacity to consult and engage effectively with community.”

“Libraries are the beating heart and thinking brain of every community,” Brian Hubble added in his submission.

The council hearing comes just days after members of the city council were grilled at a community meeting at Geelong West Town Hall over proposed cuts to the region’s library hours.

The city received 949 submissions regarding its proposed budget, and six in relation to its proposed revenue and rating plan, for a total of 955 submissions.

More than half of the submissions – 537 – concerned funding for Geelong’s libraries.

If the draft budget is adopted, the city’s library manager, the Geelong Regional Libraries Corporation, has claimed it will face a $762,000 budget shortfall and will need to reduce opening hours across the City of Greater Geelong.

The city also received 132 submissions regarding the winter closure of Kardinia Pool, which also prompted passionate testimony on Tuesday night.

Last year the city received 137 submissions ahead of its 2022-23 budget.

Originally published as Libraries are our ‘beating heart’ and should be protected, councillors told at budget hearing