Young High School Library and Joint-use Community Facility

Over 2,200 signatures were entered on a local petition against this project in the local community and the petition was rejected without consultation by HillTops Council and the Dept of Education. HillTops Council have only allowed 1 week for viewing of the details of this project. Since there is an overwhelming rejection of this project by the local community I believe further consultation with the community is required. Since the General Manager of Hilltops council has resigned and the Christmas Period is upon us I request that this project be placed on hold until after the Christmas / New Year so that proper consultation can be done with the community. Also since there is a large portion of the community who are in favor of a demerger of Hilltops Council then it would be prudent to wait before proceeding on a course which will alienate a very large amount of the local population.

I support a joint use community and school library at Young. There was a petition against building a library in Carrington Park, but as per residents requests Council and the Dept of Education relocated the building to within the school grounds. Young Town library is badly in need of refurbishing or replacement, and this is an opportunity that the town cannot afford to miss. We have a track record of successful joint ventures at Young District Hospital /Mercy Care and Young High School/TAFE. This project is supported by all our schools and many in the community, both private individuals and organisations. There are a small but vocal group who wish to reallocate the library grant money elsewhere, and they have tried to discombobulate the venture under various guises. The Council and Dept of Education have attended many of their concerns, specifically local heritage, disturbing Carrington Park and student security. This is a venture we do need in our town, and I again would like to express my support of it. Thank you.

When this project was first announced, it looked like it was going to extend and be partially built onto Carrington Park. Many residents objected to this, there was actually a petition to stop it encroaching onto the Park grounds, with around 2,000 signatures. I didn't want the facility to encroach onto the park either, I signed the petition, and also applied and was accepted onto the Joint Facility Steering Committee with Hilltops Council. We worked tirelessly to come to a solution where these people against the building in the park would be put at ease. The building now will be 100% on the school grounds, no encroachment onto the Park grounds. We thought this would make the community happy, and put their minds at ease, and for the majority, this is the case. It seems however, a few members of our community who are simply against progress, are using the petition to stop the library in the park, as a petition to stop the library altogether, and this is false. As a member of the Steering Committee, and liaising with the public, most residents are now happy with the plans, as we have protected the park, the object of the original 2,000 signature petition. Please disregard the misleading representation of a vocal minority, as the majority of residents are looking forward to the opening of a world class joint use facility.

I object to this project in its current form as there has been two other sites selected for the location of the Young Public Library and now we have the third site not chosen by the residents. I do not object to the Schools Infrastructure NSW (SINSW) building educational facilities on the High School grounds, I would like that to be done. My points: The first two sites not chosen by the residents are; Apex Park and after a very small number of objections of this ill thought through site decision was abandoned, another site was chosen, ie part of Carrington Park (circa 1880 to current date), then after over 2,200 signatures were gathered manually by local residents of Young, this site was also abandoned and now the latest site, wholly in the Young High School grounds. As the latest site has not had wide public consultation as this is a brand new proposal, this site with the inclusion of the Public Library should be abandoned too, however under the guise of State Significant Development title, this latest site is being dictated to us by Schools Infrastructure NSW. There is no reason to include the Young Public Library in the development, nor destroy or impact Carrington Park. Your architect drawing of the building is either misleading as the drawing depicts a space where the palisade fence should be and more importantly the glassy three story building will place the focus on to itself and take away the correct focus in this heritage precinct, ie the focus should be on the Old Courthouse, this is what is in the heritage report, you can look this up, as I did. If the depiction is correct the building will be impacting on the heritage of Carrington Park and the historical Old Courthouse. Now I must mention the trees that are currently in Carrington Park, that you will be putting at risk by this ill-thought through thought bubble (from you your third time lucky choice attached to SSD status) presumably this was to stop the local residents being consulted on your third choice. I also object to the time of year you have chosen to display the glassy project to the local residents, in case you haven't noticed, it is almost Christmas, not to mention times are tough out here with the drought impact on business and farms and local residents, we are busy with more important projects, we should not have to be considering a proposal at this time as it actually commenced in 2016, many council workers have left, including the General Manager, there was a no confidence vote against the Mayor, there are meetings about demerging, so what is your big rush. There is a win/win solution to this Project for both SINSW/local community. The Department of Education do not need to put our local Public Library in the High School grounds, the department has plenty of room to put whatever is required for the educational needs of our high school students, and they deserve it. Just look at the High School grounds on Goggle Earth. The local community could then use the $5m that has been given in grants for a library and not have to borrow the $1.5m Hilltops Council says it needs to participate in your Project, and then council should consult with the local residents as to where they want the Young Public Library (most in the over 2,200 signatures, said they prefer to keep the Young Library where it currently stands) and a realistic makeover of the building will bring it up to a standard the local community deems necessary.

I would prefer to see our community Library remain accessible to all residents/elderly/visitors within the central business area.I don't wish to see 18 trees removed from our well utilised park to make way for concrete & pavers.Obviously the voices of over two thousand residents signing a petition against this proposed merger don't count.

Upon Amalgamation and my retiring from Hilltops Council, xxx and I am absolutely dumbfounded at the Young High School Library Joint Community Venture. Why ?
In about 2010 when I was a Young Shire Councillor and Chairperson of the Library Committee, Young Council spent many months very seriously looking at perhaps moving the current Young town library to new premises. We looked at any spot vacant at the time ie Young Coolstores, Telstra building in Lachlan Street and as stated any other building. At the end of sometime and I mean many many many months, Council voted to leave the library in its current location in Lynch Street. There was adequate building space to extend north to the then Peter Smith Dental Practice building and extend the rear of the library towards the laneway – which only meant moving an electricity set up and we had the building of the library seriously examined by the appropriate bodies as to whether the building could be added to as a second storey building and yes all was approved. So the library was left in its current position in Lynch Street.
However I understand further down the track there was pressure to push for moving the library but again and perhaps taking its sight for an art building, which is partly now being placed in the Young High School joint use premises.
Why move elderly people from the CBD to a location seriously not accessible for them. I told the General Manager of the day who has now resigned and left her position that this was a problem big time and she said maybe we will have to provide wheelchairs for them ?? I am serious that was the response I received.
My husband will turn 95 in 2020 – feel free to use him as an example of the unsuitability of this location. Majority of elderly get the community bus to the CBD and visit the library, chemist and bank – which Young High School eliminates. xx does not drive and does not use the Young Community Transport bus.
Why would ratepayers provide “any funds” for this venture which is on the property of the Young High School and owned by the Dept of Education and then Hilltops Council has to pay additional annual rentals. Would you build a building on my land and let me own it ??
Sadly it appears to me that many new Councillors and Senior Staff and general staff who are on this Hilltops Council really know how or what was moved or discussed on by the passed Councillors at Council Meetings etc. I moved a toilet block be restored. This Council demolished the building and now have decided it has to be rebuild. Sadly a lot of ratepayers are believing we are being led by a dysfunctional present Council.
xxx and I have made contact three or four times with Hannah at the Premiers Office lodging our serious concern and requesting this whole project to be withdrawn – but sadly I had no response and when I called a few days ago to speak to Hannah was told she has left working in this office. As stated to Hannah and we re-iterate people will have a chance to vote at the upcoming local and State Elections. Of course if I had a child going to the Young High School one would have to be delighted to see such wonderful rooms added to their child’s school but at the same time be aware of the problems to be experienced by our senior ratepayers who could and probably are grandparents to the high school students.
Architectural demolitions have been unbelievable and the a tunnel could be of architectural ruination to the whole joint-use facility, let alone the chronic thought of removal of several trees in Carrington Park.
Please accept our gross concern and dissatisfaction of this Young High School Library and Joint-Use Community Facility. We don’t need to have our names displayed publicly but are happy for the appropriate bodies to learn of our dissatisfaction and ask that the money be still given to Young High School as needed and the money be given to the Young Library for its appropriate upgrades.

Upon Amalgamation and my retiring from Hilltops Council, xxx and I am absolutely dumbfounded at the Young High School Library Joint Community Venture. Why ?
In about 2010 when I was a Young Shire Councillor and Chairperson of the Library Committee, Young Council spent many months very seriously looking at perhaps moving the current Young town library to new premises. We looked at any spot vacant at the time ie Young Coolstores, Telstra building in Lachlan Street and as stated any other building. At the end of sometime and I mean many many many months, Council voted to leave the library in its current location in Lynch Street. There was adequate building space to extend north to the then Peter Smith Dental Practice building and extend the rear of the library towards the laneway – which only meant moving an electricity set up and we had the building of the library seriously examined by the appropriate bodies as to whether the building could be added to as a second storey building and yes all was approved. So the library was left in its current position in Lynch Street.
However I understand further down the track there was pressure to push for moving the library but again and perhaps taking its sight for an art building, which is partly now being placed in the Young High School joint use premises.
Why move elderly people from the CBD to a location seriously not accessible for them. I told the General Manager of the day who has now resigned and left her position that this was a problem big time and she said maybe we will have to provide wheelchairs for them ?? I am serious that was the response I received.
My husband will turn 95 in 2020 – feel free to use him as an example of the unsuitability of this location. Majority of elderly get the community bus to the CBD and visit the library, chemist and bank – which Young High School eliminates. xx does not drive and does not use the Young Community Transport bus.
Why would ratepayers provide “any funds” for this venture which is on the property of the Young High School and owned by the Dept of Education and then Hilltops Council has to pay additional annual rentals. Would you build a building on my land and let me own it ??
Sadly it appears to me that many new Councillors and Senior Staff and general staff who are on this Hilltops Council really know how or what was moved or discussed on by the passed Councillors at Council Meetings etc. I moved a toilet block be restored. This Council demolished the building and now have decided it has to be rebuild. Sadly a lot of ratepayers are believing we are being led by a dysfunctional present Council.
xxx and I have made contact three or four times with Hannah at the Premiers Office lodging our serious concern and requesting this whole project to be withdrawn – but sadly I had no response and when I called a few days ago to speak to Hannah was told she has left working in this office. As stated to Hannah and we re-iterate people will have a chance to vote at the upcoming local and State Elections. Of course if I had a child going to the Young High School one would have to be delighted to see such wonderful rooms added to their child’s school but at the same time be aware of the problems to be experienced by our senior ratepayers who could and probably are grandparents to the high school students.
Architectural demolitions have been unbelievable and the a tunnel could be of architectural ruination to the whole joint-use facility, let alone the chronic thought of removal of several trees in Carrington Park.
Please accept our gross concern and dissatisfaction of this Young High School Library and Joint-Use Community Facility. We don’t need to have our names displayed publicly but are happy for the appropriate bodies to learn of our dissatisfaction and ask that the money be still given to Young High School as needed and the money be given to the Young Library for its appropriate upgrades.

No Objection with comments

Please see attached letter for the response from the Heritage Council of NSW.

Please see attached Response

See attached.

I am attaching two letters; one sent to the local MP and to the Acting General Manger of Hilltops Council, and to the Young Witness. These outline some objections to this project.
Together with other members of YCARA I have not had time fully to consider the material lodged in support of this SSD proposal but was a member of what is, I see, claimed to have been a local consultative group. I am an architectural historian who grew up in Young, and have a Master's Degree in Heritage Conservation from the University of Sydney. I have consulted on a number of public projects. I am a library user in Young. I will be preparing a submission when I have had the opportunity fully to consult the various documents provided at the Council Chambers; as is shown in the attached letter I have, for example, concerns with the Heritage Assessment; a first read of mot of the reports demonstrate a general unfamiliarity with the district and its inhabitants. I look forward to detailing the problems with these reports

As the extensive documentation which accompanies this application is difficult to read online and available in hard copy at Young Council Chambers only during business hours, please accept this as notice that I will be making a full submission when I have had the opportunity to study the drawings and reports.

I want to note that the timing of the presentation of the SSD and the exhibition period being the minimum of twenty-eight days is consistent with the secrecy, mendacity, and spurious consultation that have characterised the project since it began. The community was told it could not see these reports and designs until the SSD application was lodged, because they were ‘commercial-in-confidence’ but that when they were exhibited there would be time to ask questions, see detail, and to comment.

• As to the timing and length of the exhibition period demonstrating a failure in Local Engagement:
This is a fruit-growing and agricultural district: anyone who actually wants to engage the local community avoids harvest and fruit-picking seasons; exhibition this month suggests a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise the public. My own situation will illustrate the problems of a short period at the time of year in a Regional area. I have an iMac, but the lettering and diagrams which indicate trees to be removed, and the designation of spaces in the facility, are unclear even on its broad screen, so I need to see hard copy. I live twenty-five minutes outside Young. I have other commitments at this time: end of year functions, grant submissions for community groups, a volunteer commitment which takes up several hours per day during business hours, and I have arranged to be in Sydney for two weeks while a friend has surgery. All this has delayed and will delay my scrutiny of the documents. Other community members have family arriving for holidays or will themselves be going away, and the Council will close its offices for Christmas.

• As to Mendacity:
The community has continually been assured that that no work would begin until after the SSD process was complete. At the meeting in the School Library at which the hard copy documents at last began to appear, members of the community were told by the then Council General Manager (who resigned later that week) and the Mayor, that no trees were to be removed. A cursory glance at the material shows numbers of trees in the Park and the school grounds are scheduled for removal

• As to Secrecy:
Community members were assured by the Mayor and by SINSW representatives at that meeting, and at a meeting later at the Town Hall, that only some minor works, not forming part of the SSD, would be undertaken during the School Holidays. The essential requirement for the project, without which construction of the proposed facility cannot proceed, is the demolition of block BB. There is no other purpose for its demolition, it is central to the project. With astonishing audacity this demolition has been sequestered from the SSD and is to begin in the next couple of weeks.

It is unclear whether the Hilltops Council and officials are dupes or co-conspirators in these matters.

The above are some examples of the misleading condescension of SINSW with which community members have had to deal; I will provide further. The community has no confidence in this process. Even as I write these notes I suspect that our submissions are regarded as a form of community therapy, not a genuine process which examines the SSD itself.

I will be making comments on a number of the reports that make up this submission on the grounds that they misrepresent processes, are incomplete, fail to address crucial issues of, inter-alia, accessibility and heritage conservation, and that their inadequacy has produced a project that is inequitable, has design flaws, has already wasted money and will be a white elephant.

I am a historian and a social scientist: I added a graduate diploma in anthropology with 1st class honours from the University of Sydney to a History degree from La Trobe University and in 2017 was awarded a doctorate in political science from La Trobe. In my professional opinion the community engagement attempted in this project was inadequate, especially by comparison with that which informed the 2014 Community Infrastructure Masterplan, and was designed to provide a result which has little relationship to the needs and wishes of the locals, particularly those who use the library.

I will provide detailed comments after I return from Sydney in the New Year.