City of Greater Bendigo councillors last night endorsed allocating Regional Growth Fund money to the development.

The council will receive $2 million to spend on new or existing infrastructure and must use the one-off funding within four years.

“If we put this money into the library... we can finish this project and it is another we can cross off our list,” councillor James Reade said.

The funding will ensure construction of the library redevelopment can start during the next financial year. The council expects the development will take 18 months.

Cr Reade said the library had more than 40,000 members and half a million visitors last year, which surpassed the Bendigo Art Gallery and made it the most visited council facility.

He said for every dollar the council spent on the library, the return was $3.56.

Councillor Bruce Phillips said a cross-section of the community used the library, making it an ideal project in which to invest.

A report to the council listed four projects as under consideration for the $2 million.

The botanical gardens, Lake Weeroona and Canterbury Park master plans were the other projects but officers had recommended the library redevelopment as the preferred recipient.

Councillor Lisa Ruffell opposed the library proposal and wanted the funds to go towards a botanical garden master plan.

Councillor Alec Sandner also voted against the fund allocation and said he wanted the money to be spilt equally between the library and a Bendigo Airport redevelopment.

Councillor Peter Cox said he was unable to support the proposal because it failed to reflect “good governance”.

He said the money should have been spent on the first stage of a Canterbury Park redevelopment.