While I support the release of the Proposed Annual Plan and Budget, there are two items that I would like to address.

Those reading the budget may notice that the Pop-Up Library program at Williams Landing has not been included for the next 12 months.

This program was closed down in March this year due to COVID-19, shortly before it was being made ready to release to the community.

The space available for the Pop-Up Library and social distancing requirements meant that it was not practical to go ahead with the program.

I want to take this opportunity to assure the local residents that we are continuing to monitor this situation closely and we are making decisions according to government requirements to protect the safety of staff and community.

Should the circumstances change in the future, Council will be in an opportunity to revisit this exciting initiative.

I also want to mention the much-needed Williams Landing Library and Community Centre project that this council has been working on. The project progressed well through the last financial year with the background work largely complete. The next step was to go to the market to find a suitable site within the Williams Landing town centre for the proposed facility.

I note this project has been impacted by the covid-19 pandemic on Council’s overall budget position, the commercial property market and the new options that have emerged.

I understand while there has not been a proposed budget allocation at this stage, it’s important to note that planning work is continuing, and any emerging opportunities will be explored and this project could be reintroduced into the budget at a quarterly review when a fully costed feasible solution is identified.

Thank you.