Wednesday, 23 November 2016
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has intervened to prevent the historic Moree Lands office, in Frome Street, from being sold.
A furious Mr Marshall said he’d “put a rocket” up the department (Government Properties NSW) to ensure the building would remain in public hands “now and into the future”.
He’s also told NSW Crown Lands’ officials that any of the records in the building relating to the Moree district “must remain in Moree”.
“I’ve requested the department meet with council to discuss the possibly handover of any records relevant to the Moree district to either council or the Moree Historical Society, so that they may be preserved and kept locally for generations to come,” he said.
“I was furious when I heard that there may be moves to try and flog off the building when the five staff currently based there move up the road to the more comfortable Government Office Building in February next year.
“This is typical of the Sydney-centric bureaucratic view of the world – they have no regard for local history and the ownership communities feel for their beloved historic buildings.
“Occasionally they need to be reminded who they serve and that country communities are very different from the city.
“Due to a number of factors, the Lands Building has very little, if any, commercial value, but it, combined with the historic records held there, are priceless to the community.
“I think now, thankfully, they are beginning to realise this and have agreed with my requests.”
Mr Marshall said he would continue to liaise with Moree Plains Shire Council to ensure commitments made by the departments were followed through and then his attention would turn to future community uses for the building.
“I know the Moree Historical Society is desperate to find a permanent home in Moree and at a cursory glance, this building would seem ideal for them,” he said.
“I’ll continue to work closely with council and the Historical Society to ensure we get the right outcome for the community.”