A district library will be built in either Vincentia or Sanctuary Point.
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The project is in limbo, however, as Shoalhaven City Councillors are yet to agree on where the library should be placed.
Tensions flared at a council meeting on Tuesday night, where the topic was discussed for more than an hour, and no progress was made.
A motion was passed, recommending council adopt the draft Bay and Basin Community Hub Master Plan, which would see the library built at Vincentia.
However, the motion was subject to a rescission motion and will be further debated at a future council meeting.
The current council recommendation proposes that the library located in Sanctuary Point is to remain in its current form and location.
The proposal does not suggest that the Sanctuary Point library will be closed.
Councillor Kaye Gartner argued Vincentia is a more central location to all residents in the area, incorporating Callala Bay, Huskisson, Vincentia, Hyams Beach, Sanctuary Point, Old Erowal Bay and St Georges Basin.
Cr Gartner believes it would be better placed within a community hub, near a creche, swimming pool and sporting facilities.
She told the gallery wealth distribution was relatively even across the area, and Vincentia was just as deserving as Sanctuary Point.
This comment drew the ire of Councillor Bob Proudfoot, who would like to see the district library built at Sanctuary Point.
“A lot of the families (at Sanctuary Point) have nothing, they're flat out putting food on the table,” Cr Proudfoot said.
“Many of the kids are fending for themselves.
“I saw a kid coming out of IGA with a tin of vegetables, I said, ‘what are you doing?’ he said, ‘it's my turn to cook dinner.’
“How you've offended this community is beyond realms.
“They had an expectation the district library was going to be at Sanctuary Point.
“The people there value a library, you’re standing in the way of it.
“We've had our problems with drugs, with crime, we worked through them.
“To turn your back on them is a complete farce.
“What are you offering in Vincentia? Another unfunded project.
“I’ve spoken to people in Vincentia who say, ‘good onya, well done, Sanctuary Point deserves it,’ some of these people are quite wealthy and happy to have the distribution of income and facilities done fairly.”
If the library is placed in Sanctuary Point, the existing building will be moved to Sussex Inlet, where there are only mobile library services available at present.
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