If it were possible for things to get worse for the commercial tenants at Eden's harbourside, they did so on Friday, October 2, when they were told they had to get out by Sunday, October 11.
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The news follows a damning report on the state of the building and head lessee Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre's move into voluntary administration.
Eden artist Anna Warren, one of the tenants at the harbourside building, said she received a phone call from Crown Lands on Friday.
"I was told I had a licence to operate up to, and including October 11. I then had two weeks to remove my own assets from the building. I was stunned, speechless; nobody believed they could do this," Ms Warren said.
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As other tenants closed down their premises, she said she was the last one open on Tuesday morning.
"Tourists were asking me what was going on and why was everyone closed. The only people there now are angry tourists," Ms Warren said.
She says there has been little or no communication over the years to discuss the building's state, how the tenants could transition from their existing buildings to something temporary and then new premises.
The tenancy turmoil followed a report on the building's condition which stated it was "potentially beyond serviceable".
"Elements of the building's main structural supports were found to be corroded beyond repair, structural members appear to have been removed in some sections and there is evidence of concrete cancer in main load support structures in various locations throughout the building. Water ingress into the building is significant in several locations, which includes areas in which electrical services are exposed. The fire safety aspects of the building are also of concern," the report said.
It also states it would cost more to bring the building to a satisfactory level of compliance than to rebuild it.