Bega MP Andrew Constance has defended his government’s record on funding public libraries after concerns were raised in a Eurobodalla Shire Council meeting.
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Councillor Lindsay Brown and others complained at the June 26 meeting that NSW Budget cuts would harm libraries.
Mr Constance hit back on Thursday, urging Cr Brown to “take a look out the window of council” – a reference to the expansion underway of Moruya library.
Meanwhile, Mayor Liz Innes has warned fellow councillors the public airing of the dispute could “jeopardise the working relationship the council enjoys with” Mr Constance.
“We’re well within our rights to ask questions about budget matters, particularly when it looks like it might impact our shire, but the way we go about asking those questions has significance and this is a timely and serious reminder for all councillors,” she warned her colleagues.
Mr Constance public libraries in regional NSW can apply for capital grants to build new, or improve existing infrastructure with a dedicated $5 million set aside - an increase of over $1 million from the old Public Library Infrastructure Grant program.
"The capital spend is in addition to the public libraries subsidy provided through the State Library of NSW, which remains unchanged,” he said.
"Eurobodalla Shire Council has an application in under the Stronger Country Communities fund to further develop the Moruya Library and Arts Centre.
"I'd suggest the learned councillor involved here familiarise himself with the actions of his own council, with the said funding application currently being assessed.
"I would also encourage the good councillor take a look out the window of council. He will clearly see construction activity underway to expand the Moruya library with a $200,000 government grant from the NSW Liberals.
"It's a bit rich of councillors to claim that the NSW Government isn't supporting public libraries in our region when Eurobodalla Shire Council has received over $905,000 in public library subsidy funding from the Liberals.
"In 2018, the council received a subsidy of $120,409, an increase of almost $7,000 from the previous year," Mr Constance said.
"I would also bring to the attention of councillors that along with the subsidy payments made to council, the capital expenditure is additional.
"Further to the $200,000 for Moruya Library, the NSW Government has contributed to library upgrades at Narooma ($55,000) and Batemans Bay ($66,000).
"The total capital funding for local library upgrades that has been made by the NSW Liberal Government to Eurobodalla Shire is $387,000."
Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes has expressed “grave disappointment” regarding the way the accusations of library funding cuts were raised.
“I’m actually quite angry about the manner in which this was raised,” Cr Innes said.
“We have built a fantastic working relationship with Andrew and we’ve achieved a great deal together for the benefit of this community.
“NSW government funds are flowing to this shire faster than ever before and this is thanks to Minister Constance’s influence and his commitment to our region.”
