Council addressed the issue of the proposed sale of the Baw Baw Technology Centre, formerly the Narracan Shire Offices, on the Princes Highway in Trafalgar with councillors being divided on the idea.
“To me, it’s surplus to requirements.” Cr. Goss
The sale would be; “So short-sighted.” Cr. Cook
It would be; “A grave mistake.”” Resident Mick Bourke
“Personally, I think council needs to get out of this space.” Cr. Wallace. Trafalgar resident Mick Burke provided the only public written submission and argued that “the sale would be a grave mistake that would, in my opinion, sacrifice one important community facility for another. In making the decision whether or not to sell the land, Council must guarantee to the Trafalgar community that this land will not be needed in 20, 50, 100 years’ time,” he added. “It cannot give such a guarantee.”
Councillor Darren Wallace argued for the sale, stating the Trafalgar community has a certain level of ownership of the former Narracan Shire building and having had the second oval cut recently from general revenue, believes; “Personally, I think council needs to get out of the space and allow the growth to happen,” he said. “Whatever money we get we can put back into the same community for a long-term asset that is desperately required.”
Cr. Wallace said the second oval had been discussed in Trafalgar for more than 20 years and its omission from the budget is a hot button topic in the town. “The backlash of this project being withdrawn from the budget and long-term infrastructure can’t be understated,”= he said. “The community desperately wants this number two oval delivered.”
Five submissions relating to the sale of the building were received during community consultation in May, one of those in support and the other four opposed, some suggesting council use the building to develop a permanent library.
The building was constructed in 1979 and was originally used as the Narracan Shire Council offices and chambers before it became the Technology Centre. It is set back from the road and is next door to the Trafalgar Community Centre.
Council officers described the property as under-let and recommended selling the four and a half thousand square metre site via public auction, arguing that selling the property is one way in which council can generate additional income.
Councillor Kostos said the sale of the old building had been discussed over a number of years. “I believe in my heart that retaining the money for the second oval in Trafalgar will be a far better benefit to the people of Trafalgar than retaining the building.”
Councillor Cook warned that whoever bought the property could do what they want with it and it could become a fast food outlet or a service station or similar.
There was much discussion and philosophical differences, but in the end councillors voted in favour of selling the building and in favour of directing proceeds from the sale to the much talked about second recreation oval.
Council staff advised Traf District News that the building is expected to go on the market in the next two months for a spring auction.
Council agreed the statue of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, hero of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, would remain as part of the road reserve; Nelson, with 27 warships, defeated a larger flotilla of French and Spanish ships. A lesser but important battle occurred in council last month.