26th of November 2024, 6:43pm
Parliament of Victoria | Legislative Council
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan):
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Local Government and it relates to the upgrade of the St Albans Library. We are heading for another record-breaking summer, with more extreme hot days and longer heatwaves. If you live in the outer growth areas of Melbourne’s west you may well be in for a truly hellish summer.
The western suburbs have fewer green spaces and more heat-absorbing urban spaces than in those green and leafy eastern or bayside suburbs and as a result are typically 4 to 5 degrees hotter. On top of that the outer west has some of the most socially disadvantaged areas in the state, including Brimbank, Melton and Wyndham.
VCOSS has identified a close correlation between lower socio-economic communities and the risks posed by extreme heat. In short, those living in the hottest areas tend to be the least able to keep cool. With few public swimming pools, limited access to beaches, few community spaces offering respite from the heat and pathetic public transport to get to any of those places, where do people go to find some relief from the devastating effects of extreme heat? The answer is often public libraries.
Libraries are among the last bastions of community space that offer refuge during crises from heatwaves and from loneliness. They provide a welcoming space for all. Libraries deliver bang for buck too. According to Infrastructure Victoria, every dollar invested in libraries reaps $4.30 in economic and social benefits.
The St Albans Library serves one of the most multicultural communities in Australia and one of the most disadvantaged in the state, and it is in urgent need of an upgrade. The building’s cramped spaces and ancient facilities significantly reduce the service offerings to the community, even with all the incredible work of its staff.
Brimbank council requested $5 million in this year’s budget for the redevelopment of the St Albans Library to support lifelong learning, promote inclusivity and connection and provide welcome respite from extreme heat. Regrettably, that request was knocked back, so the action I seek is for the minister to fund the renovation of this vital community asset in the 2025–26 budget.
Answer received 17th December:
I thank the Member for the Western Metropolitan Region for his question.
The Allan Labor Government recognises the important role of public libraries in our communities – fostering lifelong learning, facilitating access to information, and providing safe, supported community spaces for local people to engage in a wide range of activities. Over the last nine years, the Allan Labor Government has invested over $49.3 million dollinto 139 library infrastructure projects, with a total project cost of $348 million.
The Living Libraries Infrastructure Program is designed to enable councils, regional library corporations, Myli – My Community Library Ltd, Your Library Ltd, and Vision Australia to deliver new or renewed library infrastructure for their communities to improve engagement and access to learning opportunities.
The Living Libraries Infrastructure Program is open to applications each year and provides funding through two categories – minor works and major works. Applications in the minor works category are generally cosmetic in nature or include small remodelling elements. Major works generally involve significant structural changes to existing facilities or the construction of new, multi-purpose library facilities.
The 2024-25 funding round of the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program will open on 3 February 2025 and close on 14 March 2025 at 2pm. The 2024-25 Living Libraries Infrastructure Program Guidelines are accessible via the Local Government Victoria website, and I encourage Brimbank City Council to consider submitting an application for the St Albans Library.
In addition, the Public Libraries Funding Program provides annual funding to councils, regional library corporations, Myli – My Community Library Ltd, Your Library Ltd, and Vision Australia for the provision of public library services. This funding contributes to the purchase of collection items (physical and electronic), information technology, library and outreach programs, and other services provided by Victorian public libraries.
The Public Libraries Funding Program 2024-25 has been allocated $48.2 million to support Victoria’s public libraries and Brimbank City Council has received $1,394,364 from this funding program.
The Hon Melissa Horne MP
Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation
Minister for Local Government
Minister for Roads and Road Safety
Minister for Ports and Freight
