Club lease renewed

A former tip site that has been transformed by the Baw Baw Old Engine and Auto Club will continue to be leased to the club for $1 a year.

Baw Baw Shire has renewed the lease for a further nine years at a peppercorn rental of $1 per year.

The club pays all utility, maintenance and improvement costs.

The club leases the council managed Crown land in Peddar St, which was a tip site.

Council officers said since beginning the lease, the club had improved the site dramatically including the construction of a large building which includes both engine and vehicle storage as well as kitchen and clubroom facilities.

The facility is used for storage, social functions and restoration projects.

The only income generated by the club is membership fees of $45 per family, per annum.

Since the previous lease, council has introduced a Property Policy and

Pricing Policy that sets a minimum annual lease fee of $802.

Officers said because the proposal was to continue with the peppercorn rental, council would have to approve the lease with a formal resolution.

“In summary, the operations of the club are run by volunteers and the club generates minimal income to cover utilities and maintenance.

“The club does not have the capacity to fund rental at market value,” officers said.

Cr Keith Cook said the club had 140 members and some of the club’s displays were remarkable.

He said the club had restored the original Rokeby pumping station’s Ronaldson and Tippet pump to working order.

Cr Cook said the club’s collection also included Buln Buln Shire’s first horse drawn trailer.

Cr Michael Leaney said the club was a great organisation.