Library to stay in the park

By Casey Neill
FERNTREE Gully Library will stay put despite a Knox Council report recommending its relocation.
Community feedback on the draft Library Infrastructure Review called for the branch to remain at Ferntree Gully Reserve.
But a council report said the ‘library in the park’ should be moved to a shopfront in Ferntree Gully Village or Mountain Gate Shopping Centre.
“The library’s removed location reduces its usage and accessibility to the community,” the report read.
Dobson Ward councillor Karin Orpen moved that the library remain where it is at the 23 September council meeting.
“My concern is that there has been a disregard for community feedback,” she said.
Cr Orpen said the 98 survey respondents who commented on the Ferntree Gully branch, supported the current position.
“It’s a wonderful environment with room for expansion,” she said.
Dinsdale Ward councillor Adam Gill agreed.
“It is clear that the community wants to keep Ferntree Gully library and we have an obligation to listen,” he said.
Councillors adopted the amended report and will now consider expanding the library in the 2009-10 budget.
The council will also investigate possible State Government funding to refurbish and expand the branch.
Knox Eastern Regional Libraries branches include Wantirna South, Boronia, Rowville and Ferntree Gully.
The library review includes possible Boronia and Knox Library upgrades and relocations.
The Boronia branch is the most modern of the Knox services but may be moved to Boronia Central or a new Boronia Park precinct.
Community feedback identified the Knox City Shopping Centre branch as hidden and cramped.
Lounge and reading areas, music listening posts, satellite television, public meeting spaces and cafés are among possible improvements to current branches.
A mobile service also visits 11 locations throughout Knox.
Cr Gill said the bus was expensive to run and too large to reach all locations.
A report will be prepared on purchasing a more flexible vehicle, with a predicted $500,000 price tag.
A report detailing a possible Mountain Gate Shopping Centre library service will be presented to the council next March.
A Bayswater library and a Rowville branch upgrade are also planned.