Member for Bega Andrew Constance today responded to claims debated in the Eurobodalla Shire Council that the NSW Government is cutting funding to NSW Libraries
Mr Constance said 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.
“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, 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.”
Above: Andrew Constance, Member for Bega
