Gordon White Library Future Back Under Review

Following strong community reaction to the proposed repurposing of the Gordon White Library, Mackay Regional Council says it is now exploring alternative options for the future of the facility ahead of next month’s Special Budget Meeting.

The update follows weeks of community discussion surrounding council’s earlier proposal to transfer the majority of library services from the Mount Pleasant site to the new Northern Beaches Community Hub once it opens in 2027.

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Mayor Greg Williamson said council had listened to community concerns while also considering budget pressures and the financial impact on ratepayers.

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“We’ve had about 800 survey responses and there are about 1500 signatures on a petition from locals, and those responses are mostly telling us what they value about Gordon White Library,” Mayor Williamson said.

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“Overwhelmingly, it has been families that have responded and told us that Gordon White is a meeting place for them to socialise and support the early development of their children,” he said.

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“With that in mind, we are exploring options around how we can still keep those services that people value so highly and retain a library facility at Gordon White.”

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The response comes after residents raised concerns about the future of the library, with many describing it as an important and accessible community space for families, students, elderly residents and people living with disability.

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Gerard Carlyon said councillors were currently considering three options ahead of the Special Budget Meeting on June 29th.

“Option one is where we consolidate our libraries on the north side and includes a minimal increase in cost to ratepayers,” Mr Carlyon said.

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“It would see us transfer the majority of library services from Gordon White Library to the Northern Beaches Community Hub Library,” he said.

“Option two is a compromise based on residents’ feedback – we keep a library facility at Gordon White and prioritise the services the community is telling us they value most.

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“We would then explore models where we could operate all our libraries, including the Northern Beaches, without any major staff increases but with some reduction of service across the branches.

“This would likely include some reduced operating hours and more strategic delivery of programming, but it would reduce the increased rate burden to about $1 million.”

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Mr Carlyon said the third option would retain both libraries at full capacity.

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“The third model is to keep both services (Gordon White and the Northern Beaches) at full capacity, which would have about a $2.2 million annual impact on rate payers,” he said.

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“Our executive leadership team, in conjunction with staff, will work through these models as we approach the Budget Meeting so that councillors can make a decision that best suits the residents of the Mackay region.”

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Community feedback on the proposal remains open until June 16th as discussions continue around the future of the Gordon White Library.

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