Approximately 40 Penola residents met at the Penola Visitor Information Centre last week to discuss the future of the Penola Community Library.


The residents expressed their concerns surrounding the Wattle Range Council’s proposal to potentially move the community portion of the Penola High School Community library into the town’s Visitor Information Centre.


Some of the concerns from local community members included the lack of space the visitor centre provided, lack of parking, a reduced footprint of floor space staffing issues, costs of remodelling the current centre to facilitate a standalone library, along with how a library will co- exist with the current information centre’s museum and art gallery.


Wattle Range Council Director of Development Services Emma Clay, who facilitated the meeting, stressed the importance the review of the model is at the consultation stage which the council is currently collating data for via a community survey.


The survey is open until Thursday (July 4) to allow community members the opportunity to submit feedback and written submissions.


Ms Clay recognised that over 100 surveys had already been completed with 68% of the survey results in favour of the library staying in its current location at the Penola High School.


Penola Residents and Ratepayers Association President Jodi Strother said she was pleased with the turnout and feedback provided by the local community and thanked Ms Clay for answering all lines of questioning.


The data collated from the survey along with community feedback will be taken to the next council meeting by local Councillor’s Emma Castine and Chris Brody for discussion.


The final report of the consultation is scheduled to be presented to council on July 9 for consideration and a decision.