The council is still awaiting a response from NSW Police on whether it will purchase a former depot for a new station.
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General manager Warwick Bennett said he'd heard nothing back from the authority after the council at its March 2 meeting agreed in principle to sell the depot at 2 Bourke Street and proposed a purchase price, reflecting 'fair market value.' Police would also have to fund the cost of relocating infrastructure services, if required.
He was to report back on the result of negotiations at the April 19 meeting but on Tuesday Mr Bennett said he'd heard nothing from NSW Police in the past fortnight.
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"Prior to that, they advised they were doing their due diligence. They are deafening me with their silence," he said.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said the Force had "been in correspondence with the council and the matter remained commercial in confidence at this time." The state government maintains the current Sloane Street police station buildings are not fit for purpose and is seeking to build new premises.
Now the council has set a May 25 deadline for a response. Mr Bennett reported it was time to conclude the matter.
"Throughout this process, the council has communicated with the tenants at Bourke Street. They have been on hold as to their future and it's time to give them certainty," he wrote.
The spacious depot accommodates community groups such as Goulburn U3A, the Gem Club and Goulburn and District Arts Society. It also provides storage for other local organisations.
Mr Bennett recommended the deadline but also that the "future sale of 2 Bourke Street be discussed at a (May 11) councillor briefing session if the offer to NSW Police wasn't accepted."
He believed it was "clear" from councillors' previous decision that they were prepared to sell the building. Sale proceeds could exceed $2 million, with the majority to be allocated to the aquatic centre redevelopment, he reported.
But it wasn't clear to Deputy Mayor Peter Walker. He has previously described the old depot as a prime piece of land that could be used for the community's betterment.
"I would like the word 'sale' removed from the recommendation because I don't believe we have agreed to sell it," he told Tuesday night's meeting.
"There are other questions that I think need to be discussed about Bourke Street, the ARTC buildings (in Sloane Street) and (the council owned building housing Workspace in) Clinton Street. They all meld in together and I don't think you can make a decision on one without having information on the others."
Cr Margaret O'Neill agreed the matter needed a re-think.
The council rejected the NSW Police offer in February as inadequate. The decision also considered the cost of relocating tenants into Sloane Street buildings owned by the Australian Rail Track Corporation adjoining the railway station.
Bennett said ARTC had offered a 15-year lease at $800 per annum which considered estimated council upgrade costs of $250,000 to accommodate community groups. He expected this cost to be recouped over the lease term.
The GM told The Post the lease would be secure if signed.
"We wouldn't sign anything that had a get-out clause," Mr Bennett said.
A draft design allocating the same amount of space to each group had been completed but hadn't been shown to Bourke Street tenants at this stage as police hadn't made a decision. But Mr Bennett said all could be easily accommodated and he would consult with them before finalisation to ensure they were satisfied. He told The Post that feedback was mostly positive and some groups preferred to be in the ARTC premises, closer to the CBD and public transport.
However Goulburn U3A president Brian Spilsbury said no one from the council had talked "seriously" to his group.
"We know nothing about the ARTC building or what the council is thinking of in regard to space. There hasn't been much dialogue," he said.
"If we are to be made homeless by a council decision it would be nice to see a plan. We moved into here after being thrown out of the McDermott Centre (for the performing arts centre redevelopment). We like it here and we want to stay here."
U3A runs 45 classes a week and plans the curriculum a year in advance. Mr Spilsbury said the uncertainty was disruptive.
Nevertheless, the group was appreciative of the space and was keen to talk to the council about the future.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
