It is likely the Bay and Basin District Library will be built on a section of Francis Ryan Reserve at Sanctuary Point.
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Shoalhaven Council will prepare a concept plan for the construction of a library to the maximum size suitable for the site.
The council-owned lot is about 1500 square metres.
The library will be planned to be built on a patch of grass at the southern end of the carpark between the rugby league ground and the newsagent, parallel to Kerry Street.
The land, behind Sanctuary Point Preschool and Child Care Centre, is zoned for public recreation, and has existing water, sewer and power utilities available for connection.
Council staff listed a number of reasons the site wasn’t the best fit for a library – not a highly visible location, personal and property safety risks due to vandalism and break ins, no street frontage, no potential for an outdoor area at the library, limited pedestrian access for people with disabilities and prams, limited access for community buses and deliveries and it has been deemed as unable to accommodate a future library expansion.
Shoalhaven Greens including Councillors Kaye Gartner and Amanda Findley, who had previously argued for the new facility to be built at Vincentia, backed the report by council staff.
However, a majority of councillors refused to accept the recommendation to search for other sites in the area.
“Why was this allowed on the business paper when there was a clear resolution for the library to be built at Sanctuary Point?” Councillor Greg Watson said.
“Leave the library alone, we’ve made that decision.
“We will not entertain the idea of the library being placed anywhere but Sanctuary Point.”
Instead Councillors Bob Proudfoot and Watson presented an alternative resolution to confirm the Francis Ryan Reserve Site as the site for the Bay and Basin District Library and prepare a concept plan for the construction of a library to the maximum size suitable for the site.
FOR: Crs Watson, Andrew Guile, Mitchell Pakes, Mark Kitchener, John Wells, Proudfoot, Annette Alldrick
AGAINST: Crs Findley, John Levett, Gartner, Nina Digiglio (previously Cheyne)
ABSENT: Crs Joanna Gash, Patricia White
