Council defers library takeover

LISMORE City councillors voted to defer their council’s controversial takeover of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library.

 

LISMORE City councillors voted to defer their council's controversial takeover of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library until two other member councils receive advice about adopting a county council model to govern the network.

Councillors also voted eight-to-two (Jenny Dowell and Peter Graham) on Tuesday night to recall the sacked library committee to discuss options about the library's future management structure.

"It makes sense to postpone this," Cr Vanessa Ekins said speaking to her motion seconded by outgoing deputy mayor Simon Clough.

"It is a weighty matter and I have some concerns."

But, she said, the primary reason was because Byron and Ballina councils were looking at other options, particularly the county council model favoured by the sacked%library committee.

"It's worth just waiting a couple of months until we get a clear indication from the other councils because it makes sense to work together on this," Cr Ekins said.

Lismore Council announced in June last year that it would take over the RTRL, which had been operating as a de-facto county council for about 14 years, because the structure was not permitted under the Library Act.

However, one of the first pieces of legislation passed by the new State Government was to allow libraries to use a county council model.

Despite the legislative change, Lismore staff pushed ahead with the planned takeover, which was supported "in-principle" by Tweed Council late last month after its general manager provided councillors with incorrect advice about the county council model.

Also late last month Ballina asked its staff to look at alternative models to Lismore becoming the administering council, with Byron going further, instructing staff to investigate a stand-alone library service.

Community member Trish Gibson, who has been vocal in her opposition to Lismore's takeover, earlier told councillors the future of the library affected 250,000 residents across the Northern Rivers.

"I believe it is inappropriate for Lismore to usurp authority and make critical decisions which should be in the jurisdiction of other councils," she said during Lismore council's public access session.

"It is my opinion that should Lismore continue with this dictatorial attitude it will inevitably lead to discord and dispute in the future and possibly the fragmentation of an excellent library service."
 

Originally published as Council defers library takeover