We have until Wednesday, 21 March to ensure that capital investment in our Norwood Library is retained in Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan, and you can provide your views by emailing
What happened?
At its February meeting, the City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters decided by a margin of one vote to withdraw $3.5 Million in capital funding for the Norwood Library in a document called the draft Long-Term Financial Plan.
The motion that was lost would have ensured the future life of our library, in either its current location or as part of a community centre in the Norwood Town Hall complex.
Why is this important?
- Norwood is a major business centre, with large numbers of people shopping and eating on the Parade. To make an area vibrant it needs not only shops, cafes and big social events but also community centres like the library.
- Not to fund Norwood Library for a capital upgrade is to slowly kill it. The other council libraries are isolated from any major centre with no public transport connection with The Parade. The other two libraries have been upgraded over recent years and are focal points for their communities. The same should apply for Norwood.
- Modern libraries are also community centres. They offer space for groups to meet, public lectures, cooking classes and digital learning hubs which are invaluable young and old alike.
- The Norwood Library is a focal point for children and adults alike, to borrow books, DVDs, magazines, e-readers etc. and is within easy walking distance from public transport for all residents.
What can we do?
The Long-Term Financial Plan is still in draft form and there is still an opportunity to have the capital investment for the Norwood Library reinstated.
The consultation period is open until Wednesday 21 March 2018, and you can provide your views by emailing
Alternatively, you can provide feedback via the online feedback form at the link below, where you will also find the draft Long Term Financial Plan: http://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/our_community/community_consultation
Jim Dunk
Norwood Residents Association Inc.
Norwood Residents Association 