The Richmond Tweed Regional Library Committee has resolved to sell vacant land at 1 Lancaster Drive Goonellabah. On Tuesday Lismore Councillors voted unanimously to try to purchase the area which is surplus to the Library’s requirements.
Council considered a report on this matter at its July meeting a report from a workshop recommended that Council advise the Richmond Tweed Regional Library Committee its preference is: a) to purchase all Member Council interests in the vacant land at 1 Lancaster Drive Goonellabah; b) that the purchase be through direct negotiation, and c) that the purchase amount be based on an independent market valuation – one would imagine land at that location might be worth a few bob.
RTRL Chair conflicted
Cr Darlene Cook said that as Chair of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library Committee (RTRL), she was slightly conflicted about the matter. ‘However, as a representative of Lismore on RTRL, as is Cr Colby, all we can do, if this motion is passed, is take this recommendation from Lismore to the meeting of our RTRL.
You must remember that the Lismore council is only one of four councils – the other three councils have all expressed their opinions, which is to approve the possible sale, though they haven’t reserved an opinion yet as to whether that is in a public auction forum or otherwise.
But, Councillor Colby and I can take the wishes of Council to RTRL however, we are two councillors – there are eight councillors on RTRL and so the other six councillors will have quite a large impact on the outcome of an RTRL real decision.
An independent organisation with an independent committee
‘While we may advocate for Lismore’s position, the other councillors may have a different idea and may much prefer to go to open auction, and if that’s the way the vote goes, that is the way the vote goes. It is an independent organisation with an independent committee that will make that call.
Cr Cook said Council cannot offer guarantees to Lismore that the wishes expressed by Lismore will be taken on board by the other three council representatives. ‘All we can do is advocate we can do our best, but it is out of our hands entirely as only to make councils so
‘It would be greatly advantageous to Lismore to acquire this land if it was at all possible, but the outcome of the meeting will be made by a totally independent committee.’
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