THEY came in numbers with placards at the ready, prepared to protest until the very last minute before Monday’s meeting to decide the fate of a new library.
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But ultimately, Friends of Armidale Library were unsuccessful in their bid to persuade Armidale Dumaresq councillors to pursue federal funding for the planned build.
The victors were Armidale Dumaresq Ratepayers Association, who helped sway a rescission motion being passed five to four by Armidale Dumaresq councillors.
“We won. Sanity prevailed,” association chairwoman Maria Hitchcock said after the decisive meeting.
Group president Mary de Gabriele said she was pleased with the turnout. “We had about 70 protesters by our count,” she said.
“We were helped along by the weather not being too cold.”
Whle a narrowly-voted decision for Council not to pursue grants was unwelcome for some, Monday night’s outcome was not a surprise for those fighting for the build.
“We are obviously disappointed with the result but realistically thought it was a long shot,” Ms de Gabriele said.
“But we were pleased with the turnout and those councillors in favour, it was very encouraging.”
More than 80 spectators packed into the meeting room, with some forced to stand along the walls and sit on the floor.
Emotions were tested before the rescission was even considered.
The meeting opened with three presentations from the Armidale-Dumaresq Ratepayer’s Association, all making strong statements against pursuing the stronger regions grant.
Chairwoman Maria Hitchcock said grants could not be pursued now because the dollar-for-dollar contribution needed for the grant had yet not been sourced.
She said she believed the contribution would fall on ratepayers in the form of a 15 per cent standardised rate variation.
“Council has to be absolutely certain any project is properly costed,” Ms Hitchcock said.
The chairwoman also swiped that councillors should note advice she had once given her children.
“I had to teach them the difference of wants and needs,” she said.
In questions to Ms Hitchcock, Cr Maher disputed her calculations that a standardised rate variation would be used to fund the library.
He also accused her of circulating misinformation about how the grant could be matched.
“I also teach my children about the truth,” Cr Maher said.
When it came to the rescission, Mayor Laurie Bishop, along with Jenny Bailey, Chris Halligan, Margaret O’Connor and Andrew Murat all voted in favour of not pursuing grants.
Cr Murat said any possibility of cost matching falling on residents was not acceptable, even if it only equated to the cost of one coffee a week.
“I take that as a bit of an insult,” he said.
“For some people a cup of coffee would be well received.”
The motion was opposed by councillors Peter O’ Donohue, Jim Maher, Rob Richardson and Colin Gadd.
“If we put in and we actually get the grant … people will just take off [with fundraising],” Cr Richardson said.
Despite this latest quest for a grant shut down, Cr Maher said he did not believe the motion would set back a new library build.
Speaking to The Express after the meeting, he said he still thought Monday night served a purpose.
“It was very close, and it gave an opportunity to address misinformation,” Cr Maher said.
“I don’t think this sets us back at all ... this has been going on since 2004.”
