Time is fast approaching for the Joint Regional Planning Panel to either approve or reject the McDermott Centre location and modification as a Performing Arts Centre (PAC).
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I'm no fortune teller, but if common sense prevails, this location will not be approved.
Our council is not in a position to inform the State Government that they intend to move the sandstone fence pylon east to allow more than the present 4.13 metres between the Roses Cafe wall and the pylon for delivery trucks, as Mayor Kirk said on FM radio on October 3.
Equally, our council is not in a position to request the prisoners attending court to be transported via the eastern gateway rather than the present western gateway, requiring access via the laneway without trucks getting stuck attempting to turn or reversing the laneway, as the council submitted to the JRPP earlier in the year.
These are only two of the many reasons I believe common sense will prevail to prevent approval of this poorly thought out location for a much-needed PAC.
For those tuned into more sensitive vibrations, they will hear the ghost of Thomas Whitton laughing!
But don't despair as, just today, I asked Mr and Mrs John Kelly if they would sell the Old Flour Mill at 285 Sloane Street for a PAC.
With a little thought and realisation of the extremely difficult engineering feat to demolish and construct behind the McDermott Centre in such a confined space, he agreed, rather than the intention to lease this property with 45 fully sealed car parking spaces right behind Goulburn Plaza with a floor area of 2100sqm and a total 4300sqm or approximately 1.06 acres.
A building of character, space and parking sounds most appealing, hopefully reasonably priced considering the modifications necessary to transform it into a PAC with sufficient space for many other income producing uses.
The $12.1 million “budget” for the McDermott Centre could be halved with twice as many seats and much more community support.