Lismore City Council last night formally resolved to remain as the Executive (Administering) Council of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library (RTRL) post June 2027, under a refined Deed of Agreement to strengthen governance, risk management and financial performance, and invited other member councils to express their interest in the role.
Lismore Council's resolution also included endorsing the transfer of branch staff to their relevant local councils by June 2027, embedding local accountability for staff, safety, and operations and removing the requirement to oversee staff outside the Lismore area.
The move has been described as a demonstration of responsible governance and forward planning.
The decision, a requirement under the current Deed of Agreement, follows the release of a comprehensive independent review commissioned by the four councils earlier this year, which identified that while the cooperative model has delivered strong community outcomes, it faced real governance and financial challenges requiring reform in order to maintain stability.
The report outlined several future-state options, each aimed at strengthening transparency, governance and sustainability. Importantly, none of the options recommended maintaining the existing arrangements unchanged.
The main findings identified the need for greater equity, clearer accountability and stronger cost-recovery mechanisms to ensure long-term success of the service, which currently serves more than 227,000 residents across 12 branch libraries and a mobile library in the Northern Rivers region.
RTRL Committee Chair Ballina Councillor Simon Chate said it was sensible, responsible and transparent move by Lismore to resolve their position early.
"Lismore is leading by example, considering all the data and information from the independent review, modelling all available options, and giving other member councils time to make informed decisions," he said.
The RTRL continues to outperform industry benchmarks, with more than 1.7 million loans, over 1 million visits each year and community satisfaction levels above 75 per cent.
While Lismore has now resolved its position, the remaining councils are expected to present their reports and recommendations to their elected members in the coming months, with all councils required to confirm their intentions by December 2025.
"This is the first step in a process required under the current Deed of Agreement," Cr Chate said.
"Once all councils have made their determinations, the new Deed will be developed, negotiated and finalised before June 2027."
