Campbell Town Hall sale: Councillor’s threat to candidate

A Tasmanian councillor is threatening to launch defamation proceedings against a mayoral candidate over claims the councillor formed a “secret” plan to purchase a council asset.

Council's sale of the Campbell Town Hall is another decision Mr McCullagh criticises strongly. He says its 'Community Purpose' zoning means it will sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars less than it might otherwise. Picture: Knight Frank Launceston

A northern Tasmanian councillor is threatening to sue a mayoral candidate for defamation, over the latter’s social media claim the councillor formed a “secret” plan to purchase and redevelop a council asset before it had been approved for sale.

Northern Midlands Councillor Ian Goninon issued the legal threat to Longford llama farmer Kim Peart, who is running for mayor, via his lawyer Daniel Zeeman, of Butler McIntyre Butler.

The social media post in question, published on September 25, was Mr Peart’s allegation that Mr Goninon formed a “secret” plan, in concert with business associates, to purchase and redevelop Campbell Town Hall before it had been approved for sale by the full council.

Northern Midlands mayoral candidate Kim Peart, a Longford llama farmer. Picture: NMCW

In full, it said, “Goninon had been planning to secretly buy the Campbell Town Hall for personal profit”.

Mr Peart deleted the post prior to receiving the concerns notice, which requested he publish a fulsome retraction and apology to Mr Goninon online.

The legal letter asserted the claim was false and defamatory and that it was an “associate” of Mr Goninon’s who submitted an “open proposal to the council to purchase the hall and there was nothing secret about it”.

Councillor Ian Goninon. Picture: Northern Midlands Council

“Mr Goninon eventually expressed an interest in being included in the proposal,” the letter said.

“In so far as that proposal was ever considered by the council, Mr Goninon absented himself from any discussion on the matter.

“That process went on for some years but eventually did not proceed and both Mr Goninon and his associate withdrew their interest in purchasing the hall.”

At an April 11 council meeting, Mr Goninon said he and his associate were prepared to spend $1.4m refurbishing the building, with a remodelled, “professionally designed” museum, bars and restaurants.

He said he withdrew his proposal in part due to the negative “attitude of the Campbell Town people”.

“I just hope someone else comes along (to) do something very similar, that it doesn’t sit there in rack and ruin, and cost an absolute fortune to restore in the future.”

Council has been discussing the future of the hall since at least 2014. After several false starts and appeals to TasCAT, the building is currently being advertised by Knight Frank Launceston.

Expressions of interest close on October 22.