Dallas Tout, a Wagga councillor who is also president of the NSW Public Libraries Association, has been left “dumbfounded” by the budget cut of 18 per cent.

The 2018-19 budget allocated $23.5 million to libraries, down from $28.8m in 2017-18.

Cr Tout said local government already footed 95.2 per cent of the cost of public library services, a figure that would likely have to rise after the government announced the cutback.

“This appalling level of support for public libraries is an insult to every resident in NSW,” he said.

“Apart from the detrimental effect on public library infrastructure caused by the short-sighted slashing of library funding, members of the public can expect to see reductions in staffing, opening hours, collections, services and programs as councils attempt to continue to provide an equivalent level of services with a decreased pool of funding.

“It is becoming increasingly clear from my recent discussions with many councils across the state that they are no longer able to meet the ever-increasing funding gap for public libraries.

“Unfortunately, many of our libraries will be forced to wind back services which will ultimately impact on community members who are already marginalised, including young families, the elderly, refugee and migrant communities, and people without access to technology.”

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Wagga Mayor Greg Conkey said he was disappointed by the funding reduction and said it would impact the 600 people who used the city’s library each day.

Cr Conkey said local government was being continually squeezed by funding cutbacks at both state and federal level, while the number of services councils were expected to provide was increasing.

However, Cr Conkey also said that Wagga had recently secured substantial government funding for projects including the Wagga Base Hospital redevelopment, new PCYC and the renovation of the Museum of the Riverina.

Junee Mayor Neil Smith expressed concern about the budget overlooking the growing problems that have arisen with recycling services after a change in China’s import policies.

Both Cr Conkey and Cr Smith said roads funding remained major issues for the Wagga and Junee councils.

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