THE historic Moree Lands Office was the backdrop for Lands, Water and Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair’s visit this week and was the topic of some conversation as government representatives and the community continue to negotiate the future of the heritage building.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“There needs to be some conversations about the use of the building into the future,” Mr Blair said on Tuesday.
“It is good for me to see the building myself today and have a look at it.”
The structure has recently shifted its categorisation from Crown Lands to Government Property, which has called into discussion who will be responsible for the future maintenance and upkeep of the building.
“It is an amazing building and it is part of the history of Moree, and I would like to see if we can get some good uses for it into the future,” Mr Blair said.
“It is something that needs to be preserved, but the future uses are more of a discussion for the community and the other stakeholder ministers.”
The heritage listed structure has been in sights of the Moree and District Historical Society, as one of two possible locations for a local museum, not only for the value of the site for local heritage, but also for the extensive Lands archives housed there.
President Steve Ritchie said the historical society was investigating options for relocation to the War Memorial Educational Centre and the old Lands building.
“We are very willing to work with the community and relevant ministers to achieve the best outcome,” he said.
Steve explained there were some challenges with regard to available space for exhibits at the education centre and that the group were confident they could secure grant funding for the maintenance and security of the Lands building and the preservation of historical Lands archives in situ.
“We would love the Lands office, but we don’t want to jeopardise more beneficial options,” he said.
The Moree Plains Shire Council resolved to pass on the opportunity to purchase the building during the April general meeting citing continual maintenance costs and the “current lack of commercial use” as proving too much of a financial burden.
Minister Blair acknowledged that the Lands building, like many historical buildings in local government areas around the state, was in a difficult balancing act between ongoing maintenance costs to maintain the heritage value and the availability of financial resources.
“It is difficult and it is something the community needs to be involved in for the long-term solutions,” he said.
“Buildings of this age do require ongoing maintenance and the way that we do business has also changed.”
“We don’t have rooms full of hard copy records. A lot of the records we use these days, particularly in lands, are scanned or digitised, so they present different challenges and that is something we need to look at.”
What do you think the future use of the former Lands department building in Frome Street should be?
Email cady.andersen@fairfaxmedia.com.au
