I refer to the Young Witness item Library Progress (October 25, 2019).
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The article makes reference of my objection to the proposed community library being built on State Education property was because of lack of vehicle access.
If only it was that simple.
In my statement I outlined the difficulty of community access of any type and that the facility is only school children orientated.
For a member of the community to access the proposed library there is a minimum walk of 60 metres from the nearest drop off point.
The parking in the vicinity of Young High School is limited at any time, and on top of that it does not allow for those who are mobility disadvantaged, inclement weather or dependent on community transport.
The current library location accommodates all these essential planning factors.
The current sight has never been assessed for a new multi storey facility as is now being proposed on the Education Department land.
Council is borrowing $1.5 million to build a community library on land they do not and will never own or control.
This leads me to my other point of objection.
Members of the community who are expected to use and enjoy the proposed facility have never been considered or consulted.
Standard planning criteria like convenient locality near the town centre, access to public transport and the requirements like community space and meeting places is based on community input.
Community input has never been a consideration for this supposed community facility.
I will always support a proposal based on community consultation.
Councillor John Walker
Young
I thought common sense would prevail and council would come to its senses.
Young will not be gaining a library it will be losing one, the council should hang its collective heads in shame, they have sold the ratepayers down the river with their diabolical decision.
At the moment there is no firm costing as to what this white elephant will cost us, the ratepayers.
Add to that the isolation of the location and the lack of parking, just adds to the stupidity of this whole process.
Stuart Hart
Young
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