Colac to transfer ownership of the Pennyroyal Hall to Committee

Published on 24 May 2019

Colac to transfer ownership of the Pennyroyal Hall to Committee

Colac Otway Shire Council plans to negotiate a transfer ownership of the Pennyroyal Hall and surrounding land to the Pennyroyal Hall Committee for a “peppercorn amount”, waiving rates on the property for up to 10-year period.

Council Chief Executive Peter Brown said Council acknowledged that lack of maintenance of the hall in the past had led to the deterioration of the hall and recognised the Pennyroyal community’s passion to have the hall restored for public use.

Mr Brown said Council’s decision to transfer ownership would pave the way for the hall, which was set for demolition 12 months ago, to be saved in line with the wishes of the Pennyroyal community.

“Council had to consider the cost of restoration of the hall, access to other halls in the district and its projected use in its decision, and has developed a proposal to allow the Pennyroyal Hall Committee to restore and reopen the hall again one day.

“Council will meet with the hall committee as soon as possible to discuss the transfer ownership of the Pennyroyal Hall and associated land to the Committee and waiving rates for 10 years after the ownership change or until June 30, 2030, whichever date is the latest.

“The transfer would include an agreement with the Committee that the hall be renewed sufficiently to allow public use, while Council will continue to pay for building and public liability insurance and also reimburse the Committee for funds it spends on hall renewal works including $35,000 in lieu of demolition works and $10,000 in lieu of connecting underground power,” he said

“Council officers will also assist the Committee with future funding requests for the renewal of the hall.”