By Dominique Tassell
A group of Killarney locals have come forward, stating they are “somewhat disillusioned” by the amount of money being spent on upgrading Stanthorpe’s facilities when Killarney does not have any library facilities.
“We have been approaching the Mayor on several occasions over the past two years, requesting they consider a library in this locality,” said local Nadine Horneman. “A small van is hardly adequate in choice of books to be able to satisfy, all the needs and requirements of a diverse reading community.”
Nadine said the current situation is “absolutely disgraceful”.
She said years ago the community was serviced by a “huge library truck” but now only has a “tiny little thing”.
“You can reserve books to the van,” she said. “But you need to source your own books and look at your authors.”
Nadine believes locals deserve more and thinks Council should be providing library facilities in Killarney.
Libraries are meeting places that provide community support, she said. In a town where many residents have restricted licences due to their age, she said it’s simply not an option to travel into Warwick to use the library there.
Cr Andrew Gale said the Council is “definitely looking at something in Killarney”.
“We’re in discussions with a group of people in Killarney,” he said. “We’ve progressed quite a ways.”
He cited McKinlay Shire’s library, which is a step up from a mobile library but doesn’t require the resources of a normal library.
Cr Gale said that discussions are happening at the moment.
“I’m a massive supporter of libraries,” he said. “My mum used to drive the mobile library.”
He stated he agreed with Cr McNally’s comment in the recent Ordinary Council Meeting, where she stated that libraries aren’t just places where there are books.
Cr Gale said he recognises there’s a need for services in Killarney and a desire to push for something to happen.
“There are places not on the mobile library list that need services too,” he said.
He said he would be supportive of what the people of Killarney want.
“I’m glad that the people of Killarney have made (their desire for a library) known to us.”
“Part of our role is to meet those expectations of the community and supply things they can’t do for themselves.
“I have been approached personally by a group in Killarney that are willing to go into a partnership with Council relating to a book repository slash library type set-up.
“That’s exciting, I’d really like to try and push that as much as I can.
“Ultimately, that will be the decision of Council.”
Cr Gale stated that Killarney’s Urban Design Framework (UDF) consultation is coming up, which is another way that locals can “express their desires for their community”.
At the recent Ordinary Council Meeting, a motion to move forward with the Stanthorpe Art Gallery and Library project was successful.
This comes after the project received only one tender for construction, which was $2m to $2.5m over the budgeted $4m.
The motion delegated to Chief Executive Dave Burges to negotiate the final tender submission scope and price for the project based on the construction tender submission received from St Hilliers Pty Ltd.
Crs Gale, Marco Gliori, Cameron Gow, Jo McNally, Vic Pennisi, Stephen Tancred, and Sheryl Windle voted in favour of moving ahead with the project.
Crs Ross Bartley and Cynthia McDonald voted against the motion.
The motion was moved Cr Sheryl Windle and seconded by Cr Gale.
Cr Stephen Tancred spoke after the meeting, stating that the project “was important to last Council and is important to this Council”.
“Possibly more important,” he said.
Cr Tancred stated there is an expectation from the community that they will proceed with the project regardless of the extra cost.
He cited a lack of blowback online and a lack of lobbying against the project.
“I have directly contacted some key members of the art community,” he said. “They trust their Councillors, particularly me to look for ways forward.”
Cr Tancred stated that Council may need to “trim our cloth” or “as the Director of Infrastructure has said in the past ‘spread the margarine differently'”.
