The contentious issue of funding for the proposed Sanctuary Point Library on the south coast remains a focal point of debate, with Liberal candidate for Gilmore, Andrew Constance, questioning the allocation of federal funds for the project.

Constance has called upon the federal member and Labor candidate, Fiona Phillips, to clarify the status of the promised $7.5 million grant earmarked for the construction of the library. This grant was initially pledged in 2022, during Phillips' election campaign.

Initially proposed in 2018, the Sanctuary Point Library project has faced numerous hurdles, with construction costs estimated at $30 million. Designs for the library were unveiled to the public in 2021, presenting a multifaceted facility featuring community hubs, study areas, conference spaces, and classrooms in addition to traditional library amenities.

While the federal government committed $7.5 million towards the project, local government is expected to cover the remaining costs, prompting Shoalhaven Council to request assistance from the New South Wales Government.

In response to Constance's queries, Phillips asserted that the federal funding had already been disbursed to Shoalhaven Council as part of the 2022 budget allocation. She emphasized the necessity for the council to fulfill its obligations in ensuring the completion of the Sanctuary Point Library.

Constance, however, accused Phillips and the council of failing to progress the project, urging transparency in their dealings with the community regarding the library's development.

This dispute comes against the backdrop of a significant increase in construction costs, with the budget ballooning by $11 million.

Shoalhaven councillor Paul Ell attributed this rise to the design's larger scale compared to initial expectations.

The potential involvement of the New South Wales Government in funding the project has also been raised, with NSW Arts Minister John Graham indicating that the state government is considering the library as a possible recipient of funding through its regular budgetary processes.

As the debate rages on, the future of the Sanctuary Point Library remains uncertain, with stakeholders and community members eagerly awaiting resolution on the matter.