“Thank you Chair.

I may have mentioned once or twice to the chamber how wonderful the new Bracken Ridge Library is and the vibrant community hub it has created for Residents in my ward.  My community have welcomed and embraced this new facility and Pre COVID-19 the increase in patronage was testament to this.

The designated children’s space and generous meeting rooms have been standout additions and incredibly well-used. In particular, these meetings rooms have provided a dedicated and secure location for many of our community groups to meet and coordinate local projects. Brisbane Libraries are not just a space for reading or loaning a book, but are now community hubs that provide facilities and activities for every age and interest.

Following on from the Bracken Ridge Library upgrade, Kimberley Washington who was the LNP candidate for Deagon Ward and I both felt it was important that the Zillmere Library should be upgraded. We wanted to ensure the residents and community groups local to Zillmere Library had the same access to the modern facilities and meeting spaces that now featured in other upgraded  northside libraries. Importantly, we wanted to ensure it continued to be a vibrant and welcoming community space.

While Zillmere Library is not physically within my Ward, many of the residents who form its patronage are.  I’m excited to see that following my petition advocating for my residents in Zillmere and its surrounds that Zillmere Library will be upgraded and that Cr Cassidy is supportive of this project.”