Goulburn Mulwaree Council considers police purchase offer

NSW Police has set its sights on a former council depot to establish a new station for Goulburn.

But the council has rejected the purchase offer for the spacious Bourke Street building, which sits on 1.1 hectares.

Councillors discussed the matter in closed session at their meeting on Tuesday based on commercial in confidence considerations.

"The council has rejected the price (offer) because we want a true market value for the property," general manager Warwick Bennett said after the meeting.

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"There are also long-term tenants in there and we are happy for them to stay on council premises. If they have to relocate to suit NSW Police, it shouldn't be at ratepayers' cost."

Councillors authorised Mr Bennett and Mayor Bob Kirk to negotiate, without prejudice, a "fair market price" for the site and the cost of relocating tenants into other premises that don't negatively impact their operations.

If the parties reach agreement, the building will be sold in its current state.

A decision on any sale won't be made until the April 19 meeting. In the meantime, tenants will be consulted and options to relocate will be investigated.

The state government announced in February, 2019 that Goulburn would secure a new police station. At the time, then Goulburn MP Pru Goward said the current Sloane Street site with its heritage buildings had "outlived its use" and was "almost not fit for purpose."

Then Police Minister Troy Grant's office also said the new station would be built on the existing site.

But that appears to have changed. The state government last year allocated $25 million for the project. Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman confirmed last October that authorities were conducting due diligence on two Goulburn sites.

Mr Bennett said the council and NSW Police had informal discussions more than a year ago. There was no further contact until December and January when police wrote to the council. By this time it had discounted the Police Academy and sites in Common Street and Finlay Road due to distance from the CBD and the courthouse.

In a statement, NSW Police confirmed it had undertaken "extensive identification of suitable locations in Goulburn...with government, council and commercial land and buildings."

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But the Bourke Street site's location, ready access to the Hume Highway, corner position (on Combermere Street), public transport route accessibility, ample parking, level ground and possibility for expansion proved attractive, Mr Bennett said.

Asked whether the offer was far off the council's expectations, he said: "I think there is opportunity for good compromise."

In July 2020, councillors deferred consideration of a $4 million purpose-built community centre on the depot site due to uncertainty surrounding COVID-19's financial fallout.

Mr Bennett said the council's building at 56 Clinton Street was seen as large enough to house community services and meeting rooms.

"Otherwise, if councillors are of the opinion we need a purpose-built community centre, there are many other options we could consider," he said.

The GM suggested the Recreation Area or another reserve as possibilities.

But that consideration is some time away. Mr Bennett said organisations such as Goulburn U3A, the Lapidary Society and Goulburn and District Art Society had negotiated 15-year leases at Bourke Street. Other community groups such as the Lions Club had "minor leases."

"We want to make it easy for them because they are important tenants performing important roles in the community, so if they have to relocate it should be as smooth as possible," he said.

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Mr Bennett believed vacant ARTC buildings on Sloane Street between the railway station and Star Track Express couriers could house some of the groups. Previous discussions had occurred.

Meantime, Goulburn and District Arts Society vice-president Alex Mortensen said the depot had adequate space for permanently exhibited paintings, work spaces, furniture and easels.

"Any alternative accommodation would need to have just as much floor area as we have now," he said.

"If we had to store (these items) elsewhere it would cost the art society money that it cannot afford."

Mr Mortensen said the depot's reception area, office space, kitchen and washroom were advantageous. However the area was cold and the group needed permission to construct a partition, separating them from the Historical Society. Air-conditioning could then be installed.

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The Arts Society has had six homes in the past 20 years. Before shifting to the depot in April, 2019 it used a room in the former Angels for Forgotten building in Sloane Street, owned by ARTC.

Mr Mortensen lamented the fact the group, founded in 1904, had never had a permanent home.

"We'd be greatly disappointed if we had to leave unless we were offered something as good or better," he said.

As for the future of the Goulburn police station after any relocation, a spokesman said this had not been determined.

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