Councillor to issue mayor with ‘please explain’ over public comments on new library

AN ALICE Springs councillor will seek an apology from Mayor Damien Ryan over public comments he made on radio

ALICE Springs councillor Eli Melky will seek an apology from Mayor Damien Ryan over public comments he made on radio.

Mr Ryan’s comments related to a discussion in a council meeting about the now-abandoned proposal to build a new library at Alice Springs Plaza in partnership with the Alice Springs Property Syndicate.

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At a council meeting on February 23, Mr Melky moved to rescind a motion made by council on February 1 at a confidential meeting, which determined “that council not proceed with the Alice Plaza proposal with respect to the Library and negotiate with the Alice Springs Property Syndicate for a financial proposal that benefits the whole community”.

Mr Melky felt abandoning the plan was premature and explained that he wanted the council to have more time to discuss the financial viability of entering a business partnership with the consortium to build a new library.

“The (original) motion was not in the best interests of the community,” Mr Melky said.

“We haven’t carried out any due diligence or any economic study to understand the for or against for moving the existing library.”

Elected members split four versus four on the rescind motion, with councillors Jamie de Brenni and Matt Paterson, Deputy Mayor Jacinta Price and Mr Ryan voting against Cr Melky’s motion.

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The Mayor used his casting vote to break the deadlock and quash Cr Melky’s motion.

Mr Ryan went on ABC radio the next day to discuss the debate around the library.

“For me personally, a rescind motion didn’t make any sense, even in the discussion it wasn’t clear because (Mr Melky) said it rescinded everything,” Mr Ryan said.

Cr Melky has since said these comments “were not in line with what was said in the chamber.”