CITY of Coffs Harbour’s former council administration building at 2-4 Castle Street will be placed on the open market for sale.
The two-storey building, which is currently vacant, was constructed in 1983 and served as the council’s main administration building until the opening of the $82 million Yarilla Place in September 2023.
The matter was discussed confidentially at the council’s ordinary meeting on 29 January.
Voting in favour of the sale were Mayor Nikki Williams, along with councillors Cath Fowler, Tony Judge, Les Oxford, Gurminder Saro and Julie Sechi.
Voting against were councillors Paul Amos, Jonathan Cassell and George Cecato.
Cr Amos said he thought it was a short-sighted decision, as the old council building was “a rare opportunity” that could be converted into a 700-seat entertainment venue.
“We should land bank this site,” he said.
“The cost of holding the site is overstated if depreciation is discarded and no other site is obvious.”
In 2023, the then council resolved to defer a decision on the sale or retention of the building until a business case was prepared outlining the most beneficial long-term financial benefit to the community.
That business case, canvassing a range of options, was presented to the council last week.
It recommended selling the building and investing the net proceeds into the council’s “Future Fund”.
The business case outlined that while selling the building meant the disposal of a CBD asset from the City’s portfolio and the removal of the site as an option for a potential Coffs Harbour Entertainment Venue (CHEV) and/or Convention Centre, there were significant community benefits in investing the proceeds into a strategic reserve until a priority project was identified.
It noted the building currently costs the City around $264,000 a year, including electricity, security, landscaping, maintenance, insurance and property costs.
The building has a minimum of 89 underground car parking spaces, with 45 directly underneath that would be included in the sale.
By Mike HELY
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