Warrnambool will mount a campaign to ensure its state-of-the-art library project becomes reality, city council chief Bruce Anson says.
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Funding for the planned library and learning hub, a joint initiative between Warrnambool City Council and South West TAFE, missed out on state budget funding on Tuesday.
“We are disappointed,” Mr Anson said.
“We think we have a fabulous business case and we were extremely hopeful.
“It’s a missed opportunity.”
The $20-million project would deliver vast benefits to the whole community, Mr Anson said, including attracting upwards of 500,000 visits per year.
“It’s a big disappointment when you look at what it can actually do for our community,” he said.
“It’s just so vital that we strengthen education.”
Mr Anson said the TAFE environment would also provide opportunities for job-seekers and those keen to take on further training.
“The next move for us will be a big public campaign, and to get both political parties to make it an election commitment,” he said.
The joint-use library requires $15 million from the government, with the city council and other sources to kick in $5.25 million.
Plans for the future library show the 3700-square-metre space would be home to 90,000 books, materials and e-resources and provide access to new technologies.
Mr Anson said the city council was less surprised about a lack of concrete funding for upgrades to Warrnambool’s Reid Oval.
Mr Anson said the Reid Oval project was still in the process of finalising plans and costings, so the news from Spring Street was not unexpected.