After two and-a-half hours of discussion in chambers yesterday, the Clutha District Council voted 10-5 in favour of the projected $19.4million community hub on the site of the present Union St library.
The project has been in discussion for five years while swimming numbers dropped markedly at Milton’s deteriorating, 1966 public pool, and the 1944 library was deemed unfit for purpose for being 71% too small and an earthquake risk.
Mayor Bryan Cadogan said the 620 public submissions received was unusually high, and while those from the Milton-Bruce ward were 63% in favour, general district submissions were 50.3% against the build.
Arguments against centred on cost and debt.
Cr Dane Catherwood reiterated the council was already $128m in debt and rates would continue rising for years for many other reasons. He warned unexpected costs could mean a finished price tag very different from projections.
Cr Jock Martin agreed, reminding the council of growing rates-payment defaults and that overwhelming public feedback to the council was to "stop spending."
Deputy mayor Ken Payne crunched numbers of his own and said he was happy with a 22c a day increase to his personal rates. Cr Bruce Vollweiler noted evidence of growth, including a new Milton subdivision with 80 sections for sale, and Cr Gaynor Finch praised keen community groups standing by if the project was approved.
"I’ve never agonised so much over an issue," Mr Cadogan said.
"We’ve all seen rural towns in decline and know what makes people stay or leave ... [Milton is] a town on a precipice. It would be a cruel blow for future generations to miss out on this because of bad timing with debt."
Mr Cadogan and Crs Vollweiler, Payne, Finch, Alison Ludemann, John Herbert, Bruce Graham, Simon McAtamney, Wayne Felts and Michele Kennedy all voted for the new complex.
The Bruce Community Facilities Trust, which has been campaigning and organising for the build, praised the decision as a transformative step for Bruce and the wider district.
"We understand additional costs on rates may be a burden for some families and we are committed to finding ways to support those struggling with these expenses," spokesman Stephen Woodhead said.
"The combination of a state-of-the-art library ... alongside the modern pool will be a remarkable asset for Milton," he said.
