The council is considering selling the old shire council offices on Bourke Street once the RFS moves out and into its brand new premises on Lambeth Street.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This would be a blow to the two councillors who have campaigned to have the building turned into a “youth hub”.
The two of them – Carol Sparks and Dianne Newman, the only two women on the council – have campaigned to get the grand old building turned into a centre for young people.
They said previously that there was a need for a place which teenagers can “call their own” in the town. “It would be a focus for people who currently have few places to go apart from the street and the park at night’, they said jointly.
But a report to next Thursday’s council meeting written by Keith Appleby, the council’s Director of Infrastructure Services, says the building would have to be improved before being given a new use so “it is recommended that Council seeks expressions of interest for the outright purchase of the land and buildings.”
The council’s General Manager, Hein Basson, adds that some community groups might want to buy or lease the building but without the means of “delivering” on those ambitions.
He adds: “However, certain expectations have already been raised in regards to the possibility of establishing a youth centre at this location, and it is strongly recommended for Council to follow for an open and transparent process in making a final determination in this regard – by also allowing other community groups to put forward their needs and aspirations for Council’s consideration.”
Nobody involved has commented but it seems likely that the two councillors who proposed the youth centre would be disappointed if it was scuppered.
There is a political battle going on among the seven members of the council. On this issue, the majority may be against the two women but on others the majority is against the mayor.
