UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, 4.45PM
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A Land and Environment Court spokesperson has informed the Magnet that no agreement was filed in the case before the registry closed at 4.30pm on Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY, 10AM
A Land and Environment Court spokesperson has informed the Magnet that the case was stood over on Tuesday, with the court waiting for an agreement to be signed and filed by both Great Southern Developments and Bega Valley Shire Council.
Developer Rodney Thompson said the matter is "basically done and dusted", and he expects a package containing Development Application conditions to be signed off before the end of the week.
Monday, 11.42AM
The Hotel Australasia’s future is still uncertain, with a pause in proceedings due to a delayed judgement from the Land and Environment Court.
However, developer Rodney Thompson says he expects a decision from the court as soon as Tuesday.
Once handed down, that decision will pave the way for renewed discussions about retaining the heritage section of the iconic pub.
Bega Valley Shire Council no longer opposes the building’s demolition on heritage grounds, and Commissioner Annelise Tuor is expected to approve Great Southern Developments’ application to build a supermarket and retail tenancy on the site.
Once the decision is known, Mr Thompson said the ‘Save the Pit’ group would have a maximum of two weeks to come up with $500,000 to buy back the front 15 metres of the building, which includes the heritage section.
“If everything happens early this week, as expected, I reckon we’ll be able to give them a week or two to take up the offer,” he said.
“We’ve really got to get on with our detailed design plans for the building, and once they have been done, there will be no more changes.
“The plans will take two or three weeks I’d say, and then we’ll be looking to carry out stage one, which is demolition.
“We’re hoping to get on site in 4-6 weeks, and within the next 10 weeks [it will be demolished].”
The ‘Save the Pit’ group believe their best chance to buy back the heritage section is for Bega Valley Shire Council to take ownership on behalf of the community.
‘Save the Pit’ campaigner Peter Whiter said he is waiting for Council to advise the group whether or not they will be supporting their proposal to restore the 1906 façade and turn the front 15 metres into a commercial business operation that includes a wine or tapas bar, and community art gallery.
“We just need some encouragement from Council, and an indication on whether or not they will support us,” Mr Whiter said.
“We’ve got enough information now to finish our business plan by tonight (Monday), or tomorrow morning.
“That really shows how we plan on making it a viable business, and they’re realistic figures; we’re not saying it’s going to make $1million in the first week.
“Once the plan is complete, we’ll send it to Council and hopefully gain the support we need.”
But until the court’s decision comes through, Mayor Bill Taylor said Council will not be making any decisions.
“Our position is that we’ll wait for that decision to come through, and then we’ll stop and think for a moment,” he said.
“We won’t be going into hypotheticals; we need to see what the Land and Environment Court rules.”