Sale in the lap of the gods

MEMBERS of the Dunalley community are set to claim items from inside the town’s Anglican church, which is currently listed for sale.

It comes after a community group took legal action in an attempt to recover items, and engaged a lawyer to write to the Anglican Diocese about the items they say belong to the Dunalley community.

Andrew Dunbabin, of the Dunalley Heritage Fellowship, said an organ and stool from the building was expected to be handed over to a local family.

He said representations for more than 30 other items from within the church building would likely now be lodged.

Damian Egan, from Hobart law firm Murdoch Clarke, said the church had been receptive to its communication about the items.

Negotiations between the community and the diocese have been ongoing for months as the diocese looks to sell the church.

The church — which was the only public building left standing after devastating bushfires in 2013 — was built by the Dunalley community in 1918 and was consecrated in 1934.

The community group offered $50,000 to purchase the building, an offer rejected by the diocese. Mr Dunbabin said the offer took into account the significant work he said needed to be done to remediate the building. This month, the property was advertised for sale for offers over $140,000, after negotiations broke down.

Mr Dunbabin said the community was anxious about the future of the property and hoped negotiations could recommence if a buyer could not be found. Listing agent Karen Young, of Roberts Real Estate, said there had been local and interstate interest in the property.

She said two open inspections and a number of private inspections had taken place.

Any offers made for the property are expected to be presented as soon as Monday.

The Anglican Diocese declined to comment.