Bates wants old hotel to open again

CHRIS CALCINO

Cr Bates said the council should be actively seeking a licensee to run a food and beverage business from the site — even if it was a temporary “pop-up” enterprise.

“Unfortunately the mayor now claims we need something in the order of $50 million to develop this cultural precinct in a concept that many in the community know nothing about or have yet to be engaged on,” he said.

“If the site was to be themed as an indigenous arts precinct I know that numerous citizens would have reservations about using a former white Anglo Saxon courthouse as its centrepiece.

“Waiting and/or budgeting for the $50 million in funding could take years, and in the meantime what is to become of this valuable location without any return on investment, either in social or monetary terms?

“This council needs to consider all possibilities for reactivation of the area and not be dependent on a government handout before anything happens. This venue is too important to languish.”