A Yarragon community advocate has called on the state government to make a decision regarding whether or not it is willing to sell the former Yarragon school site to Baw Baw Shire.
The state government indicated it intended to sell the site last year and Baw Baw Shire has since confirmed it would be prepared to purchase the site for a reduced community rate following a passionate plea from the community to use the space to benefit the community.
Yarragon Business Association school project coordinator Michael Fozard said he was not aware of any communication on the matter from the Department of Education and Training.
“I’m only surmising … I would suggest it is a deliberate delay. I’m a bit cynical with the election,” he said.
“From our perspective, nothing has changed. We cannot get a response from the government.”
Mr Fozard said the former school site represented a unique opportunity for the village.
“To me it is unique in that is right next to the commercial region of one of the most popular tourist towns in Gippsland … We need something like this to give us an extra boost and an extra dimension to what we can offer to tourists,” he said.
“Personally I can see it as a great resource for the community in regards to community activities.”
Mr Fozard said a popular suggestion was reserving some of the land for a much-needed, new CFA station and using the rest as a community space for cultural and art activities or a space where RVs could stop.
“It just becomes very, very frustrating when you are dealing with people who aren’t willing to give you a decision and [you] have no idea of what their thoughts are,” Mr Fozard said.
In a statement a Department of Education and Training spokesperson said the state government had given Baw Baw Shire the opportunity to express interest in purchasing the property and had been advised the matter would be considered at the council’s next ordinary meeting.
Baw Baw Shire was preparing a response at the time of publication.
