Concerns are mounting for the future of community groups based at the former Sale High School, after receiving a letter from Wellington Shire Council stating their intention not to renew any existing tenancy arrangements upon assuming ownership of the building.
The former Raymond Street campus of Sale High School was declared surplus and put up for sale in 2020, with the Victorian Department of Education’s Victorian School Building Authority division remaining responsible for site management until sold to a new owner.
“Wellington Shire Council has expressed interest in purchasing the Raymond Street site,” a Department of Education spokesperson said.
“Discussions are taking place between the council and the Department of Transport and Planning, which oversees the sale of surplus government land.
“Jamie Hogan currently runs the community hub (Derek Amos Community Hub) on the site with a temporary licence arrangement put in place by the Department of Education.”
Wellington Shire Council has long expressed interest in purchasing the site, requesting vacant possession as part of its proposed land purchase, as restoration of the former Sale High School forms part of council’s Port of Sale Masterplan.
Derek Amos Community Hub, Wellington Toy Library, Sale Food Support Network, Bug Blitz, and the University of the Third Age are among the sizeable heritage-listed building’s current tenants.
“Around three years ago, councillors were provided with a report from Wellington Shire Council officers stating that there had been no tenants in the building since the George Gray Centre had ceased to be the licensee,” Mr Hogan said.
“Since then, Barrier Breakers and now us (Derek Amos Community Hub) had been the licensee, and at the time the report was presented to council, Barrier Breakers were the official licensee and the building was fully tenanted.”
The recent letter, which has sparked growing fear among community groups, came after Wellington Shire Council councillors were invited to the former Sale High School’s monthly Heritage Committee meeting established by Mr Hogan and Michael Davis of Derek Amos Community Hub.
Mr Hogan said councillors had been invited to come along and join the Heritage Committee.
The committee is made up of tenants and other stakeholders at the former Sale High School, with no response.
“We send them the minutes each month and were recently requested to cease sending invitations to councillors from Wellington Shire officers as they are unable to attend,” Mr Hogan said.
“Surely, this is the right of councillors to decide if they can or cannot attend.
“We were also directed to a sort of cease and desist with our committee and associated activities by the Wellington Shire Council Officers about six months ago, as there was no need to continue given that the shire was taking over.”
The letter from Wellington Shire Council’s General Manager of Development, Andrew Pomeroy, addressed to Derek Amos Community Hub practice manager Michael Davis, wrote, “back in 2020, the Victorian State Government designated the property as surplus and initiated a formal process for its sale. Subsequently, Wellington Shire Council expressed its interest in acquiring the property”.
“A comprehensive master planning process was subsequently launched, with a focus on the broader Port of Sale precinct, given its strategic significance.
“The potential future uses of the former Sale High School Building were carefully examined as part of this master planning initiative.
“The resulting plan outlines the site’s suitability for various commercial, cultural, and tourism purposes.”
“Since that time, council has been engaged in ongoing discussions with both the Department of Education and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC).
“These discussions have centred around the Port of Sale Master Plan, Native Title considerations, and the state government’s land sales process. Once all outstanding issues are resolved with the Department of Education and GLaWAC, it is intended that council will assume ownership of the building, and it does not plan to continue with any existing tenancy arrangements.
“While we value the contributions made by various not-for-profit community organisations within the Wellington Shire, we believe it is of utmost importance to keep you informed of council’s future intentions for the former Sale High School Site. As such, it is imperative that we continue to convey our plans for the site.”
Mr Hogan said the letter has left community groups, who have made their home at the former Sale High School, undoubtedly worried and concerned about their futures and longevity.
He added that concerns have been raised for some time, given that Wellington Shire officers have done a walk-through of the building, sent GLaWAC officials to assess the costs of upgrading the building, and have acted in some ways as if they have already taken over the building despite having no official authority to do so.
“The Education Department had informed us that council had been advised that they must seek permission from them to attend or send contractors or others to attend the building, and the Education Department would seek to make arrangements with us as the licensee,” Mr Hogan said.
“Since receiving the Wellington Shire’s premature “get out notice”, which we as the licensee have distributed to all the tenants and other stakeholders at the Community Hub, and for consideration at the Heritage Committee meeting, I have personally rung and left messages for a number of councillors on their council phones several times with no response or call back. Since last year, we have had no communication from the Mayor or any of the councillors, not even an apology or decline to the Heritage Meeting invitations.”
Mr Hogan reported briefly discussing the matter with a Wellington Shire Council councillor several months ago. The councillor had attended the former Sale High School as a guest speaker for one of the current tenants.
Mr Hogan said he shared his concerns and supplied the councillor with documentation, but that nothing had come of the discussion and that no councillors had shown any interest at all.
“We are not sure if councillors are even aware of our plight,” Mr Hogan said.
“Tenants and the current licensee are concerned that they have not been involved or invited to be part of any discussions regarding a Wellington Shire occupation of the Community Hub given that they all believe they as a group are significant stakeholders in the future of the Hub.
“They are concerned that shire officers are speaking for councillors and if, in fact, the councillors are actually aware of what is going on. They are further concerned that council had made a decision regarding the Hub behind closed doors without any consultation or consideration of the stakeholders.
“There has been some advice gained and negotiations going on regarding Gippsland Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation tenanting and running the building on behalf of the Wellington Shire as indicated in council correspondence and via verbal confirmation by shire officers.”
Wellington Shire chief executive David Morcom confirmed council remains committed to the implementation of the Port of Sale Masterplan.
“Wellington Shire Council is actively discussing the acquisition of the former school site, located at 2 Desailly Street in Sale, with the Victorian government, noting that the property has been identified as surplus to Department of Education requirements,” Mr Morcom said.
“Native Title exists on the site, and council is working closely with the state government and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation to achieve the opportunities identified in the adopted Port of Sale Masterplan.
“We understand concerns from occupants of the school building about the uncertainty of property ownership. However, our ability to address these concerns is limited until such time as an actual purchase is agreed.
“If council successfully acquires the site, and in response to requests from community groups, we can help to identify suitable alternatives in line with normal process.
“Following repeat correspondence received by tenants to council, tenancy-related inquiries are best directed to the Department of Education, who is the landlord.
“Until any purchase is confirmed, tenants are expected to continue to liaise directly with the Department of Education, who can provide updates.”
