Goulburn’s U3A has been given thrown a lifeline after the council decided not to sell off the building it’s occupied, at least at this stage.
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Cr Peter Walker successfully argued at the most recent meeting that the Bourke Street council depot should be retained to build a community centre at one end of the large land holding and a workshop. But it’s dependent on further investigations and a design, proving that the facility can be used for the purpose.
In the meantime, U3A and the Goulburn Gem Society will not have to vacate the premises.
It comes as a relief to U3A president, Brian Spilsbury junior.
“We’re pleased with the motion that was passed,” he said.
“We have 45 classes running now and can add more but if we had to move, it would have put the brakes on that.”
Mr Spilsbury said the organisation planned a term ahead but only had certainty of occupancy in the building until December. Beyond then, he had no idea where they would have gone. While the decision was a burden off his mind, he told The Post the group looked forward to gleaning further detail from the council.
Cr Peter Walker argued the case, placing a notice of motion before the meeting.
The council has been inspecting potential spaces for the community facility, after groups were moved out of the McDermott Centre to make way for the performing arts venue.
“We’ve looked at quite a few but I maintain land already owned by the council is better than purchasing a new building and putting us in a position where we have to spend money to even start the process,” he said.
Cr Walker argued the existing space was sufficiently large and structurally sound to adapt for groups and to construct an additional community centre. He told the meeting he’d spoken to several groups, including the Goulburn and District Arts Society, which had shown interest. Others organisations, like sporting clubs and the street van, could utilise storage space.
The purpose built community centre on the 1.1 hectare site would house former McDermott Centre groups like Leisure Link and youth services.
The council has allocated $4 million for the facility over the next four years. A total $1m from the depot’s sale was pegged to pay for the new Hetherington Street depot. Council general manager Warwick Bennett said it meant only $3m would be available but the project was a good qualifier for grants.
Councillors unanimously endorsed the motion. After a draft design is completed by staff, councillors will discuss the matter further at a briefing session and form a working party.
After the meeting, Cr Walker said he was very passionate about U3A, as he was about every other community group.
“Some of them are paying for space that we as a council have a responsibility to provide,” he said.
Cr Walker pointed out that like Recreation Area users, these organisations were willing to financially contribute to upkeep .
“We looked at the depot in July and other buildings but when it comes to the crunch, purchasing another property is expensive. Utilising a space we already own is ultimately a saving for the ratepayer,” he said.
Mayor Bob Kirk agreed the depot was substantial and in good enough order to cater for some groups’ meeting needs, yet still allow space for a purpose built facility for the McDermott Centre services.
“But the investigations could come back and tell us to knock it down and start anew, so everything is on the table. The discussion has only just commenced,” he said.
The mayor believed the council also had to consider whether it had a social obligation to subsidise such services or whether groups should pay.
“There are many things we need to think about but as a burgeoning city, a community centre is a necessity and we need to look to the future,” Cr Kirk said.
Over the next year the council is also developing a social plan for Goulburn Mulwaree. It will in part consider services the council and other community organisations provide and how they can feed into each other.