Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker MP, has written a letter to the Acting CEO, Mayor and councillors at the City of Greater Geelong where she details her “utmost disappointment” with the council’s mismanagement of its dire financial position.
Ms Coker wrote in the letter that she will be providing a submission to the council’s draft budget outlining the concerns of her community regarding:
- Closure of libraries;
- Reduced access to aquatic facilities;
- Withdrawal of council funding for sporting facility upgrades and the anxiety this is causing local clubs;
- Withdrawal from the G21 Alliance and the uncertain future of the Geelong Regional Libraries Corporation (GRLC);
- Job losses;
- Cancellation of local transport services; and,
- Withdrawal of funding for Lifeguards.
In her letter, Ms Coker urges council to seriously consider community submissions to the budget and outline a more considered, compassionate and sophisticated approach to addressing its financial position.
Quotes attributable to Libby Coker MP:
“The people of our region deserve stability and certainty when it comes to council services and infrastructure. They have paid their rates in good faith and entrusted council to deliver services and facilities efficiently. The council has failed in this task.”
“The potential closure of libraries in the Geelong region is just the tip of the iceberg, there are substantial cuts and closures proposed under the council’s draft budget.”
“These are highly likely to impact the council’s workforce.”
“A number of sporting clubs have come to me, concerned that cuts will impact the projects they’ve fought for over many years. These projects have attracted state and federal funding, but the council is withdrawing its share of funding.”
One example in my electorate is the Portarlington Football Netball Club, and there are other projects which have not yet started despite funding being secured several years ago.”
“The community outcry is overwhelming, I’m getting phone calls and emails every day from constituents about proposed closure of libraries, reduced opening hours of aquatic centres, cancellation of some local transport services and anxiety over job losses.”
