Dear Supporters of the Save Withers Community Library 

Thank you for signing this petition to keep the Withers Community Library open.

Thank you also to the many promoters who contributed financially to share this petition.

Over 340 online signatures have been collected so far with many more on paper.

To have the petition tabled at the next council ordinary meeting, we have until be 9th to collect as many signatures as possible.

So please, continue to share it via any type of contacts and on social media.

Only the signatures of electors of the City of Bunbury will be counted.

Beside the petition, we have been conducting several other actions, with some receiving media coverage; you can find out more about future actions by:

- following our Facebook page: Save Withers Community Library, or

- joining the SAVE WITHERS COMMUNITY LIBRARY ACTION GROUP | on Facebook

 

Here is an extract from Betty McCleary’s latest update:

“Hello everyone

Councillors will not be discussing the future of the Withers Community Library at the next Ordinary Council Meeting, being held on Tuesday (4th Feb). 

The item is not on the agenda and may not come up until March.

 (The mayor said as much at our public demonstration to "Save Withers Community Library" held last Tuesday at Council Gardens). [ ]

***OUR PETITION:****

It is anticipated, the petition will be presented to the Council Ordinary Meeting to be held on 25th of Feb. 

Cr Dr Ramesh has agreed to table the petition. 

Residents and supporters, I encourage you to attend the meeting the petition will be tabled to show your support - bring your signage.

You are doing so very well with the collection of signatures reflecting the support of the residents all over Bunbury; especially Withers and the surrounding suburbs to "Save the Library". 

Please continue your good work. Walking around in the heat is not easy, thank for your commitment.

When someone asks what else they can do to help, 

-encourage them to ring or email councillors {see below*} and 

-attend the Ordinary Council Meeting on the 25th Feb when the petition is tabled. []

By doing so we will be supporting the residents who will be presenting their deputation to Council and 

sending a strong message to Council that the Electors of Bunbury want Council to:

1. Rescind the motion 10.3.2 Transition of Services – Withers Community Library

2. Reactivate the Withers Community Library with extended opening hours, activities and programs. []

Keep up the good work! “

 

*Part of our action plan is to email the City of Bunbury Councillors and Don Punch.

Please let them know, that the Withers library is important to you and that it must remain open.

Here is a suggested email content (to be modified as you see fit).

*************************************************************************

Subject: Closure of the Withers library

Dear Councillor [insert name]

As an elector of the City of Bunbury City and a patron of the Withers Library for many years,

I wish to express my profound disappointment at the Council decision taken on the 10th of Dec 2024, to close the Withers library in April 2025.

I am deeply concerned about the lack of community consultation prior to this decision.

It is a shame that the city has neglected the library in recent years, reducing the opening hours and offering hardly any community activities.

The Withers library might be small, but it is the only existing community facility on this site and has been an integral part of the life of the Withers and neighbouring suburbs for 40 years.

The closure of the Withers Community Library contradicts the strategic goal of a “connected and inclusive community” the proposed Local Development Plan-Withers Community District is supposed to deliver.

Therefore, I urge you to:

1. Keep the library open by rescinding the motion 10.3.2 Transition of Services – Withers Community Library, and

2. Reactivate the Withers Community Library with extended opening hours, activities and programs.

Looking forward to your reply,

Regards

[Your Name]

*********************************************************************************

 

!! only send the same email to a max of 3 councillors at the same time to get past the anti-spam filter.

The councillors email addresses can be found here: (https://www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/live/your-council)

 

cr.ghasseb@council.bunbury.wa.gov.au ; (Gabi Ghasseb - 0400 202 537)

cr.ghasseb@council.bunbury.wa.gov.au ; (Tresslyn Smith-0428 211 373)

cr.quain@council.bunbury.wa.gov.au ; (Marina Quain-0417 708 600)

cr.andrew@council.bunbury.wa.gov.au ; (Ben Andrew -0408 576 203)

cr.steck@council.bunbury.wa.gov.au ; (Michelle Steck - 0432 144 590)

cr.steele@council.bunbury.wa.gov.au ; (Karen Steele -0404 509 977)

 

mayor@council.bunbury.wa.gov.au ; (Jaysen de San Miguel-0439 091 268)

cr.turner@council.bunbury.wa.gov.au ; (Karen Turner- 0404 345 535)

cr.kozisek@council.bunbury.wa.gov.au ; (Cheryl Kozisek-0427 711 659)

cr.brown@council.bunbury.wa.gov.au ; (Todd Brown - 0427 025 707)

cr.ramesh@council.bunbury.wa.gov.au ; (Parthasarathy Ramesh-0469 882 635)

Hon. Don Punch MLA: Bunbury@mp.wa.gov.au

 

Thank you again for your support.

The Save Withers Community Library Action Group.