THE historic TAFE site in William Street will be transferred to the people of Bathurst after council voted to accept the State Government’s “no strings” offer on Wednesday night.
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But councillors were divided on the issue, with one calling the site a “financial noose around our necks” and another hailing it as a “gold medal” decision.
In the end, only councillors Warren Aubin and Greg Westman voted to reject the government’s offer to take over the 6033 square metre site in the heart of the central business district.
But Councillor Gary Rush warned his colleagues that accepting the government’s offer was the easy part: the hard work of deciding what to do with the site would now start.
Cr Rush led the “for” case in the lengthy debate and while he acknowledged the strong “no” cases put by councillors Aubin and Westman, he said accepting the government offer was the best move for Bathurst.
“They might say this will potentially be a noose around our neck but it could also be potentially something else around our neck – a gold medal,” Cr Rush said.
Cr Rush said while settling on a future use for the building would be more difficult for council, he had faith that the right decision would be made.
“There’s nobody more capable than the people of Bathurst represented through this council to make sure that whatever this site could be it becomes,” he said.
Cr Graeme Hanger said talk about the high cost of refurbishing the TAFE building was missing the point.
“This is 6033 square metres of land – that’s what we are talking about,” he said.
“Buildings come and buildings go but we shouldn’t be talking about the building, we’re talking about the land – are we going to accept the offer of some land that happens to have three buildings on it?
“I believe Bathurst Regional Council is the best custodian of that land.”
Cr Michael Coote agreed, saying he had changed his mind since debate over the TAFE site had begun.
He said he had been swayed by the enthusiasm of a heritage architect and heritage designer who had toured the site with him.
“And even if we get it we can sell it tomorrow, and it would be a very sellable item,” he said.
“When you see the commercial viability of an outside person coming in to do the work at a neutral cost to council then that is probably the way to go.
“This is 6000 square metres of land in the middle of town and, as I’ve said before, they’re not making any more land in town.”
Cr Jess Jennings said the TAFE site, as part of the old Bathurst town square, was part of a civic landmark with cultural significance dating back to Greco Roman times.
But there were also good economic reasons to take over the site as a prime parcel of land within the CBD.
He said the decision had “aspects of heart and head attached to it”.
