Urana building repurpose slammed

Council’s General Manager Adrian Butler said “pavilion on the dam” is considered to mean the waterfront pavilion on the shores of the Urana Aquatic Centre.

Cr Schoen’s intent was for council to seek expressions of interest for the commercial and community use of the council building.

“The situation at Urana is that we have very few meetings there and we have a great facility by the lake,” he told councillors.

“I believe what Urana needs is a supermarket rather than a council chamber.

“The main administration facility is here in Corowa.

“Until Urana has a supermarket its population will continue to decline, and the existing council functions and staff could be relocated in the aquatic centre; the existing council building become a supermarket.”

Cr Andrew Kennedy said it would be cheaper to build a new supermarket rather than use the existing building.

“And the aquatic centre, where would you put the officers there?” Cr Kennedy, a builder based in Mulwala, asked.

Deferral of the Notice of Motion was sought by Cr Schoen until the February meeting.

But Urana-based Cr Pat Bourke said he had received “a massive number of phone calls” about the agenda item and a delay would only add further misery for council staff.

Mayor Cheryl Cook referred to “angst in the community” and agreed with Cr Bourke, to discuss the matter.

Mr Butler advised extensive community engagement would be required to further progress such action.

“This project was courtesy of a $250,000 cash donation, that with interest, ended up being over $270,000 given to the former Urana Shire from a bus committee that was being wound up, to go towards creating a landmark community facility on the waterfront,” he said.

“There would be significant financial implications associated with this move, including but not limited to the microwave link council currently has, between the Urana and Corowa offices, to allow staff and councillors to meet virtually and for other data transfers and other required links.

“There would be also extensive work involved to transform the waterfront pavilion into council

offices, including wiring.”

The General Manager also advised council has a license agreement in place with the Urana Bowling Community Club to manage this facility, including all bookings and events.

“The centre also contains a gymnasium, and holds parties, funerals, weddings, New Year’s Eve events, is often booked by Urana Caravan Park guests, and also by government agencies,” Mr Butler said.

Cr David Bott said the strength of Cr Schoen’s motion is that it gets a conversation started to ultimately generate income up in Urana, to increase economic activity in Urana and consider how we’re going to come together.

“How are we going to come together as one shire, one council?” Cr Bott asked.

“We cannot continue to run two offices long term – even Professor Drew said that.

“OK, the existing council building may not be ideal for a supermarket. I agree with Cr Kennedy that the aquatic centre should be a standalone facility.

“But at some stage we’ve got to accept that we have to come together as one shire.

It just doesn’t work with two offices. It’s hard enough trying to work when two football clubs come together.”

Cr Kennedy also slammed the building which houses the vast majority of Federation Council staff. Without naming the councillor, he said he had a previous conversation with a Corowa Shire councillor who criticised that council’s move to its existing location.

“This building is a white elephant, pretty much,” Cr Kennedy said.

“When there’s a big river, it floods and when that happens, there’s no access. The Urana has solar power. There’s more chance of repurposing this building (Corowa Shire Civic Centre).

“Let’s go to Urana – I’m just putting it out there.”

A stifled laugh from another councillor could be heard.

Cr Bourke didn’t hold back either. He acknowledged the discussion on Cr Schoen’s motion had “some good points” regarding the need for increased economic activity for Urana.

Motion a disgrace – Cr Bourke

“But the motion is a disgrace,” immediate past mayor Cr Bourke said and called for “a bit of respect to staff working at Urana instead of jumping in and upsetting staff”.

Cr Bourke wondered if the council building disappeared, what would be next, questioning as to whether the houses purchased by the former Urana Shire Council – built to entice such council staff as nurses and engineers – would be next on the hit list.

He strongly praised Urana’s aquatic centre. “People are in and out every day. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened,” he said.

“Volunteers are working most days. It’s low cost to run.”

It would have been better if Cr Schoen had talked to fellow councillors in or near Urana before deciding as to whether to proceed with a motion outside of his close area, and also to executive staff, according to Cr Bourke. Cr Schoen’s motion was soundly defeated.

In other action, Cr Schoen successfully moved a Notice of Motion that council finalise the masterplan for the Urana Caravan Park expansion as a matter of priority to allow for additional unpowered camping sites.

Cr Kennedy said council has the plan already. But Cr Bourke thanked Cr Schoen for bringing the item to attention, adding: “I do like it being pushed along today. We do have a motion in the books – I just want to see it done.”