Bathurst Regional Council was handed a dilemma when it took over ownership of the building in 2012. And it was hard to get past the feeling that the state government was more than happy to offload the problem. 

At the time, the decision on whether to take over the TAFE building or reject the state’s offer was one that split council and those divisions clearly still exist.

As always, two key questions remain: What should the TAFE building become, and how much should we be willing to spend to make it happen?

A report into its possible uses is well on the way to being completed, but it’s clear that 

whatever course of action council takes will cost plenty of money.

And it is hard to imagine any possible use that could result in council making a healthy return on that investment.

That was the case right from the start, but it is also understandable that council was reluctant to pass up the offer of ownership when made by the state government.

The TAFE building is a landmark building in the centre of Bathurst and is just the sort of 

building you would want to see in council’s hands.

If we are to be taken seriously as a city that honours its heritage, especially in our bicentenary year, then council really had no choice but to accept the TAFE building

And it may not be the only main street building to provide a few headaches.

News that the state government has set aside $6.6 million for a new Bathurst ambulance station means the future of the existing station on William Street is also under a cloud.

There may well be pressure on council to take ownership of that old building as well, but the same question of what to do with it will remain.

Council is facing a case of too many buildings, too many bills, too many questions ... and no easy answers.