Two land valuations on the Goulburn Workers Club's hockey complex are "poles apart," prompting the council to continue purchase negotiations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It comes as the hockey season looms and the local club again copes with just one field for its large membership.
The council is trying to buy 3.71 hectares from the Workers Club to upgrade the hockey facility and add another field to cater for future growth. It has put plans for a new complex at Carr Confoy fields on hold in the hope a purchase deal for the Club's existing grounds at the Workers Arena can be struck.
READ MORE:
On Tuesday, councillors considered The Workers' valuation for the 3.71ha in a closed session, due to commercial confidentiality.
After 20 minutes' debate, they decided they couldn't accept the amount. General manager Warwick Bennett said it was obvious that different methodologies had been used as the figure was higher than the council's valuation.
"They are poles apart," he said.
"We now need to work out how we reach a middle ground."
The council will ask the Club to commission a third valuation by an independent valuer "agreed by both parties." Further, it wants both the council's and the Club's figures to be peer reviewed to determine an acceptable amount for both parties. The peer reviewer is to "encourage a discussion with both valuers to fully understand the difference in methodology" employed.
Mr Bennett said the request would have to go to a Workers board meeting at the end of the month.
However, he was optimistic of reaching a compromise. He and Mayor Bob Kirk will lead the negotiations. Workers president, Tony Dawson, has recused himself from talks, citing a conflict of interest as a council employee.
"In both meetings we've had with the Club, they've been very helpful and friendly. We both agreed to go away and get valuations," he said.
"I'm very confident we can reach an agreement. This is a community facility and the Workers Club representatives have been very positive. They've said they want to sell and they're happy with the where we're going."
Mr Bennett did not want to talk about alternatives, saying "failure wasn't an option."
He told The Post that The Workers hadn't provided a copy of its valuation, just a figure. But both its and the council's assessments were undertaken by registered valuers.
The council wants to buy an area encompassing the two existing fields, the car park and a rear section behind the existing cricket nets to build a third playing surface in future, if needed.
"There's no intent to develop that third field at the moment but if there is growth in the Goulburn and region hockey fraternity in the next 15 to 20 years, it may be needed," Mr Bennett said.
The existing fields will be moved forward and upgraded if the council buys the complex. Access would be via the adjoining Sports Way, using right of access.
Goulburn Hockey Association president Nadine Ward was pleased to see some progress.
"Our season starts on March 25 and it's not ideal having only one playing surface," she said.
"But we're a third party in all this and we're playing a waiting game."
The Association has worked closely with the council, exploring alternatives but also pitching its preference to stay at The Workers. The council too has said it made more economic sense to buy the existing area than build a new $10 million facility, for which it was yet to secure funding.
Mrs Ward said matches were played from Wednesday to Sunday due to the availability of just one field. The second surface needed upgrading and hadn't been used for several years.
"We have 800 players and our numbers are growing despite having only one field. But it does make it harder to fit all the games in," she said.
Mrs Ward hoped negotiations could be completed in the next few months. While she said it was unrealistic to expect two fields to be available this season, she was hopeful they would be available next year.
We care about what you think. Have your say in the form below and if you love local news don't forget to subscribe.
Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
