Documents reveal council’s interest in Yarragon site

Confidential information relating to Baw Baw Shire’s interest in purchasing the former Yarragon Primary School site has been released to the public.

Council discussed its first right of refusal in the site during a confidential meeting in December 2015.

The decision and reasons why it was discussed in-committee were never released.

But, in light of recent calls by the community to save the site for community use, council last week agreed to release all information to the public.

Discussions and decisions relating to other former school sites including Hill End, Crossover and Walhalla were all discussed in open council.

The Department of Treasury and Finance previously indicated to The Gazette that correspondence from the shire said council was not interested in the site.

However, in a letter to DTF on March 1 last year, council said its preference was for “council to purchase and control the future use of the site, rather than the likely scenario of it being sold for residential development.”

“Council is prepared to pay the applicable market rate as assessed by a certified valuer and is not looking for or seeking a discounted rate.

“In short, council considers this a key strategic site and does wish to explore, if possible, purchase directly from the department,” the letter stated.

Mayor Joe Gauci said Yarragon residents deserved to be fully informed of steps taken by council to preserve the old primary school site, which has the potential to become an important community focus in the town.

“We want to be transparent with the Yarragon community and ensure our partnerships with the passionate local community remain positive whilst we work together to retain this community asset,” he said.

Community groups and members have been lobbying council for a number of years, since the school relocated to Loch St, so that the Rollo site could be used for community purposes.

Cr Gauci said there had been a lot of interest in proposed uses for the site that were raised during confidential discussions with the department.

“Ideas such as a caravan stopover point, a hot air ballooning museum and education centre or other education purposes were suggested, but would never take place without extensive community consultation.

“We want to reassure the Yarragon community that we all have the same common goal, to keep this much loved asset available for the community to use and not sold off to be rezoned.”

The land is currently owned by the Education and Training Department. The Fast Track Government Land Service proposed to rezone the Rollo St land from public use to general residential, with the intention to sell the land.

At its meeting last month, council called for a six month stay on rezoning and sale of the site.

Council has written to two state government departments urging them to delay the rezoning and sale until council and the community identifies future plans for the site.