Scout hall cost debate

Clarence moves to buy building

THE Clarence City Council will begin negotiations to buy a scout hall at Montagu Bay after vigorous debate at Monday’s meeting as to whether it would be a sound investment.

The item was initially set to be discussed in a closed council meeting on Monday, but was debated in public after a motion to move it into the open session was carried.

Councillor Beth Warren said the purchase would “make sense”.

“It sits very neatly with other assets like the Clarence swimming pool and the sport centre behind that,” Ms Warren said.

“There’s a lot of potential for this land,” she said.

If the council sought to purchase the land, the scouts would lease part of it.

“It would be useful to the scouts for us to purchase this property, at the same time it would useful to other residents,” Ms Warren said.

“There isn’t a community hall in this area, there’s a great one in Lindisfarne and other parts of the municipality, but nothing in the Rose Bay-Montagu Bay area,” she said.

Alderman Brendan Blomeley said the timing was right.

“We all know with interest rates where they are at the moment, now’s the time to do it,” Mr Blomeley said.

“It is core business to make sound business decision in the interest of our ratepayers and that’s what this is. It’s a strategic land acquisition.”

Alderman Luke Edmunds, who moved for the item to be discussed in public, said the council didn’t have the luxury of spending that sort of money.

“If someone asked me to reel off a list of things we need to do better in this city, hall acquisition would not be it for me,” Mr Edmunds said.

“This is a massive decision and will have a lasting impact on how rates are metered to this city.

“We’ve just had rates freezes, our budget processes have been brutal and we know the cost doesn’t end with the first decision.”

The proposed offer for the hall was not discussed to prevent giving away the council’s financial position.

Alderman Dean Ewington denied the council would have been secretive to discuss the purchase in the closed portion of the meeting.

“Over the years we’ve had these sorts of debate in private session for a reason,” Mr Ewington said.

“I’m disappointed the word ‘secret’ has seen to be thrown in there.

“We’re put in a position where we’re made out to be doing something we shouldn’t be doing.”

Alderman Richard James said the matter needed to be discussed publicly.

The motion to allow the general manager to commence negotiations was carried 9-3.