Shellharbour councillors Kellie Marsh and Peter Moran will move a joint notice of motion calling on the council to scrap plans to sell its current administration building, Lamerton House, and neighbouring land known as lot 3000.
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Debate over Shellharbour City Council’s controversial $57million City Hub project resumes on Tuesday night when the council holds its first meeting of 2015. Proceeds from the proposed sale are to be put towards the new hub.
Cr Moran said the notice of motion was a chance for the council to reconsider the hub project, especially in light of ‘‘new information’’ regarding the sale of a residential development site at Tullimbar.
The sale of the 42.25hectare Tullimbar site will see $13million put towards the hub project. However, Cr Moran said the fact the property has been sold through ‘‘a put and call option’’ meant the finances would not necessarily be available when they were required by the council.
‘‘Councillors have not been told how the finances and options will work,’’ Cr Moran said.
‘‘It makes sense to put a hold on other sales until such time we do have a clear idea.’’
Cr Marsh said with 11,500 signatories on a petition against the hub, the council had a responsibility to retain Lamerton House.
Shellharbour City Council general manager Michael Willis said that in late 2013 councillors were given a report outlining a range of financial scenarios, and this report would soon be updated.
‘‘I am anticipating the council will be given final advice on whether or not to proceed in April, based on updated costings and the outcome of the sale processes,’’ Mr Willis said.
‘‘The report will update the scenarios previously set out, but with more certainty in relation to costs and anticipated debt levels.’’
Mr Willis said if the council supported Tuesday night’s notice of motion it would ‘‘pretty much’’ be the end of the city hub project.
‘‘You would have to rethink the whole thing,’’ Mr Willis said.
‘‘It would not alter the Tullimbar transaction, as due diligence has been entered into.’’