The decision for Bega Valley Shire Council general manager Leanne Barnes to speak with Melbourne-based company Irisha/Rubycove was made by councillors at Wednesday afternoon’s ordinary meeting.

Ms Barnes will also inform the unsuccessful tenderer, Rankin Builders of Pambula.

The motion moved by Cr Mitchell Nadin and seconded by Cr Jo Dodds was passed unanimously.

Ms Barnes will report back to council on negotiations, but it is unknown whether this will be in time for council’s last meeting of the year on December 13.

In accordance with council expectations during the tender application process, Irisha/Rubycove will be required to restore the original part of the old hotel, including the facade, and demolish non-original sections.

Selection of Irisha/Rubycove was based on previous project experience, as well as its ability to demonstrate “local community benefit” and commercial activation of the building.

The decision should come as a relief for the Eden Australasia group and its president Peter Whiter, who wrote to Ms Barnes earlier this month, questioning the delays in the process.

“We do not wish to oppose a proper and intended result for the Australasia, but also have serious concerns as to the way council has failed to deal with this matter,” Mr Whiter wrote.

“Our organisation was created to support council in its endeavours to restore this historic building and since the election of the new council this has generally been ignored.”

He said the group endeavoured to participate in the expression of interest stage of the restoration and had not participated in the final tender process due to the expressed intent of the tender documents to bind any tenderer to restore the building.

Tenders for the Australasia closed on August 2, with the two companies the only ones to express interest.

On November 21, a council spokesperson said that the tender process was proceeding as normal and in accordance with due diligence, saying it was was council’s intention that the tender be decided before Christmas.