Could Castle St chambers make the ideal entertainment centre

With the sale of the Castle St chambers deferred, there is a possibility it could be earmarked for the region’s long-awaited entertainment centre.

Cr John Arkan told the meeting he intended to lodge a rescission motion to overturn the decision to progress with the loan.

There’s a possibility the Coffs Harbour City Council chambers in Castle Street could be revamped to become the region’s long-awaited entertainment centre.

The topic came up at the recent Council meeting when Councillors were debating whether or not to sell the building to help fund the $81.26m Cultural and Civic Space (CCS), under construction in Gordon Street.

The sale of the chambers, and a number of other buildings including the old museum, is an integral part of the funding model for the controversial building which will house a new art gallery, library, museum and Council office space.

Four Council buildings, including the chambers in Castle St, have been up for sale to help fund the Cultural and Civic Space.

But, as Mayor Knight pointed out, it makes little sense to sell the building if it was later determined it would make an ideal entertainment centre.

The motion before Councillors was to accept the confidential offer that was on the table but instead Cr Knight suggested deferring the sale and this was seconded by Cr Tegan Swan.

According to the motion, which was passed unanimously, the building will be withdrawn from sale until such time as: the Scoping and Feasibility Study for the Coffs Harbour Entertainment Venue Stage 1 is reported to Council.

“We anticipate to have that report to Council in the next few months,” a Council representative confirmed earlier this week.

Elections postponed

With local government elections postponed to December 4 the threat of yet another rescission motion in relation to the Cultural and Civic Space hangs in the air.

This time it’s in relation to the $50.265m loan to help finance the Gordon Street building, now estimated to cost $81.26m.

Last week the vote to progress with the loan was tied four/four and Mayor Denise Knight used her casting vote to proceed

Cr John Arkan told the meeting he intended to lodge a rescission motion to overturn the decision.

Such a motion would need a seconder and by Monday a Council representative confirmed it had not been formally lodged, but that he has three months in which to do this.

There’s been several rescission motions in relation to the project over the years including one on the decision to progress with Lipman Pty Ltd, who provided Early Contractor Involvement (ECI).

With Sydney in the throes of an escalating Covid-19 crisis, on Saturday Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock postponed the local government elections again, this time until December 4.

The election had already been postponed from September 2020 to September 2021.

The decision means the current crop of Coffs Harbour City Councillors, due to go into caretaker mode at the beginning of August, will now have another three months at the helm.

Coffs Harbour City Council recently voted to proceed with the $50.255m loan for the Cultural and Civic Space.

EARLIER:

Coffs Harbour City Councillors were once again split on a crucial decision in relation to the $81.26m Cultural and Civic Space.

They were considering whether or not to take up a $50.265m loan to help finance the project.

Coffs resident Margaret England gave a public address in support of ratifying the loan, saying Council has proven itself as fiscally responsible citing the huge investment in flood mitigation projects over the years.

She has been appalled at what she says is a misinformation campaign about the CCS project.

“The pedalling of untruths and half truths to a confused public – I hope to never see such a campaign ever again,” Ms England said.

“We live and breath by the arts.”

Cr George Cecato also referred to the investment in sewer and water upgrades as proof Council can service such a loan.

However Cr Keith Rhoades said you could not compare the two.

“The difference with water and sewer upgrades is that ratepayers pay rates for these charges, and that money is used to repay loans, but this project doesn’t have an income source.”

But Cr Michael Adendorff said cultural infrastructure was invaluable to the soul and added:

“I cannot believe the quality of the terms – a 30-year fixed rate loan – in my personal life as an Adviser to clients I have never seen such an endorsement from a bank to a client.”

The children's library area in the proposed Cultural and Civic Space.

The fixed interest rate loan of $50.265m will be over 30 years with the Westpac Banking Corporation.

Cr Sally Townley spoke in support of taking out the loan and “very firmly” agreed with Cr Cecato that Council has the capacity to pay.

She said Council needed to “get this loan in place in our last period of decision making – they are out there digging … this is the right thing to do,” Cr Townley said.

“This project has had far more scrutiny from externally and internally than perhaps any other Council project ever.”

Work continues on the site of the Coffs Harbour Cultural and Civic Space on Gordon St. Photo: Tim Jarrett

Arguing against taking on the loan Cr Paul Amos said it was wrong in the “last meeting of our tenure” to lumber a new council with such a big debt.

Council will now go into caretaker mode in the lead up to the September 4 election.

When the matter was put to the vote it was the same four/four split that has emerged time and time again with Crs Knight, Townley, Cecato and Adendorff for; and Crs Arkan, Swan, Rhoades and Amos against.

Mayor Knight used her casting vote to progress with the loan.

Cr Arkan indicated he would consider lodging a rescission motion but the Advocate understands he has not yet been able to get the support needed to go ahead.