While the news of the extra funds required was described as "a bit of a shock" by one councillor, there was unanimous support for the project.

There had initially been $2.4 million set aside over two years, including $1.9 million of council money announced in the 2019/20 budget and a $500,000 grant from state government.

The funds were designed to allow the library, which was viewed as being too small for its current purposes, to expand upstairs and permit renovation works.

In the meeting agenda, a councillor report outlined how there would need to be a minimum variation of $1.1 million to the previous budget - an option that officers acknowledged would not have any "visible benefit" for the community as it would address only a mechanical update and not the planned works.

Officers recommended the extra $4.596 million to allow all the planned works to be done as well mechanical upgrades and a new roof.

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Asked by Cr Samantha McIntosh whether the extra funds represented a budget overrun, City of Ballarat chief executive Evan King said they were for a change in scope beyond the works originally planned.

"Through further investigation, the library is now at least 28 years old and any building at 28 years old starts to need significant investment. It makes no sense to do the renovation component if the roof is leaking and needs replacing."

READ THE AGENDA HERE

He reiterated his commitment to ensuring there is disciplined project management at the council from "first thought bubble" to the end of the process.

"This is an example of bringing something back to council to say it is important to do these works as a package rather than just doing the renovation and expansion," he said.

Cr Belinda Coates said that while the cost rise was disappointing, the project would have "great benefit for the community."

"It's been on the books for a very long time and it's about time we do it," she said. "This amount of money compared to building a new library is actually quite small."

Cr Peter Eddy in the meantime praised council officers for their "up front" approach. "I think the way the process has been handled is exactly the way they should have gone about it," he said.

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