I have spoken to some members of the Steering Committee and they tell me that although they are supposed to consult with the community, including Harden and Boorowa, as part of their terms of reference, they simply have no information to base a consultative process around.

At the announcement of grant funds for a Young Community Library, Steph Cooke clearly stated that the residents would decide where the new library should be sited.

Well, no one other than the Community Association has asked me or anyone I know.

I have been told that the submission lodged with council in May by the community association has never been discussed by council.

It was finally attached to council papers in June, again not discussed.

I have read this submission and it seems a sensible and well reasoned document.

I have been told that council had sent selective mail outs to interest groups calling for their support. In exchange for what? Use of the facilities or customised facilities?

You might recall that at the announcement for the funding Deputy Mayor said that the joint facility was an option but that the Council had not fixed on that option; he was reflecting that the community had been constantly assured that funding has been requested for a community library and that a joint facility and that is what was applied for.

A councillor has told me that they did not see Young Library Business Case supporting the grant application till May 9 and this was used as the basis for the grant application in “early April”.

Does anyone else think it strange that councillors had not seen or approved this document before it was used as the basis of a grant application?

I was not aware that the council had applied only for funding of a joint facility on Carrington Park and I can tell councilors that there is considerable community opposition to the concept of a joint facility on Carrington Park.

Now, having made some more enquiries I understand that the Steering Committee have been told:

If there was a breakdown in the agreement between the high school and council, would we end up with a building on Carrington Park which belongs to the high school and a town without a Library/cultural centre?

That seems a big risk.

This certainly makes the renovation of the current library or a new stand-alone library/cultural centre (not Carrington Park) seem like a very good outcome for the rate payers.

At least we would own and control the asset.

I would also like to say that it is time the council took what little heritage we have left and make a concerted effort to protect, maintain and list these items before they are lost forever.

Young has a rich history and I believe that is what tourists want to see and experience.

I note that the local member was quite vocal at the grant announcement in saying that the location for the Library was a decision “for the residents”.

I understand that Ms Cooke finds herself in a difficult position on this matter as she is married to the Headmaster of Young High School. A fact that I was unaware of till last week.

I want a solution for the town which meets the needs of the community and residents, not self interest groups who have had too much influence in the process from day one at the cost of the community being consulted and listened to in any meaningful way.