Library move on the shelf

By Paul Dunlop
PAKENHAM’S library is staying put after plans to relocate it were scrapped in favour of a million dollar makeover.
In a decision that flew in the face of previous thinking, Cardinia Shire councillors on Monday gave inprinciple support to expanding the existing facility in John Street.
The expansion is expected to more than double the library’s size, setting it up to meet the needs of the fastgrowing population for years to come.
Councillors said it was a positive move that responded to community feeling.
“This is what people elected us to do,” Cr Bill Pearson said.
The upgrade could even begin before the end of this year.
But council must first convince the State Government to allow a $480,000 grant previously earmarked for a new library to be used to help pay for the expansion.
The council has until 31 May to provide Minister for Local Government Candy Broad with details and costings for the revised project.
Monday’s decision was the latest in an ongoing saga over the future of the library. It is the third time the council has changed its plans for the popular bookborrowing and resource facility.
The original intention was to incorporate the library into the new ‘one stop’ civic centre plan. But the withdrawal of project partner Southern Health caused that project to be scrapped.
The council then looked at relocating the library across the road to the PB Ronald Reserve. That move was unpopular with new councillors who said soon after the November election that they favoured keeping the library where it was.
The shifting opinion was a concern for shire officers who warned in January that the State Government funding could be jeopardised if council again changed its mind.
But there was confidence at council’s meeting that the decision was right.
Recent discussions with the minister’s office also sparked optimism that the state’s funding, which was initially pledged for the civic centre plan, would again be obtained for what is expected to be a $1 million upgrade.
Cr Kate Lempriere was concerned the council might miss out but acting chief executive officer Garry McQuillan said he was ‘fairly confident’ that Cardinia’s application would be successful.
Cr Pearson led support for the ‘renovate not relocate’ decision, which he said was wonderful news.
Cr Pearson said he and mayor Bill Ronald were on the former Pakenham council when the library was built about 15 years ago.
“It’s a lovely building badly in need of a coat of paint and a good clean down,” Cr Pearson said.
Cr Brett Owen said the council would save a lot of money by keeping the library where it was.
“It’s definitely the way to go,” he said.
“A brand new library would cost us millions, the community wants it to stay there, I’m very happy the library is staying where it is.”