Libraries, council office face closure under Lismore cuts

LISMORE City Council is considering cuts of more than $1 million in services in the next financial year in a bid to become more financially sustainable.

Lismore City Council chambers

LISMORE City Council is planning to cut more than $1 million in services in the next financial year aimed at making the council financially sustainable into the future.

Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell said the cuts proposed in the 2013/2014 draft operational plan would enable council to put an extra $700,000 annually into roads and infrastructure and $350,000 toward the community strategic plan to improve Lismore.

Cr Dowell said planned cuts included closing the Goonellabah Branch Library, council's CBD office, and not opening Lismore City Library on Sundays.

"It's about being a responsible manager of Lismore City Council which sometimes means making really tough decisions," she said.

Cr Dowell stressed the plan was only at draft stage and could be changed before it is finalised.

The draft operational plan will go on public exhibition for 28 days from May 16 to seek community feedback before decisions are finalised by councillors on June 25.