ORANGE City Council could step into the breach to save the Central West Writers’ Centre as a rebadged Banjo Paterson Writing Centre, if a move by councillor Glenn Taylor is supported.
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Cr Taylor spoke out against the hat-shaped pergola and bronze sculpture proposed as Paterson tributes, saying the almost $140,000 needed for the projects would be better spent on the ailing writers’ support centre based upstairs at the Orange Library.
The centre’s closure was recently announced after the state government failed to renew the $37,000 annual funding needed to keep it open into its 18th year.
“There are a lot of people quite concerned about its demise,” Cr Taylor said.
“Over the years it’s been overwhelmingly successful ... [but] the bottom line is without funding it won’t be able to continue operating.
“It has incredible potential to honour AB Paterson.”
Cr Taylor said the centre’s services could be expanded to include literary scholarships and the council could also approach other councils in the area to chip in financially.
Cr Scott Munro agreed and said the council could encourage more school involvement to improve literacy.
Several councillors including Cr Neil Jones, supported the initiative, but warned against committing funds without more research into the centre.
All councillors agreed for council staff to come back with a report into the financial implications of supporting the centre.
