NOWHERE TO GO: North Park users and council still on the hunt for new premises

AS THE imminent announcement of the sale of North Park Reserve looms, two local
community groups based on the reserve are still facing possible
homelessness.

The Swan Hill District Band and First Swan Hill Cubs and Scouts
group both have permanent facilities within the North Park Reserve
site.

However, its recent rezoning to Business One and impending sale for
business development has forced them to examine their options.

The sale of
the reserve is expected to be finalised in the coming months, meaning the need
is growing for both to firm up new premises.

Both the Swan Hill Band and
Scouts Victoria own the buildings they currently use, however the ground on
which the facilities stand is Crown land.

Following objections from the
business community in July last year, an independent planning panel recommended
that the land be rezoned, on the condition that “Swan Hill Rural City Council
give a formal commitment to facilitating the relocation… to new premises with
long term security of tenure and appropriate facilities to support the groups
and their activities”.

Swan Hill District Band secretary Tim Croft said the
group was currently negotiating with Swan Hill Rural City Council and Swan Hill
College to find a new venue.

He is hopeful these negotiations will prove
successful.

“At the moment we are looking at building a multi-purpose room
attached to the [Swan Hill College] library,” Mr Croft said.

“We haven’t
worked out the details yet with the college.”

Although nothing is yet set in
stone, Mr Croft is hopeful the band can find a new permanent home.

“Until we
find something we’ll basically be squatters.”

The local scout group remains
in a similar position, however they have been unsuccessful so far in finding a
potential site.

First Swan Hill Cubs and Scouts scout leader Ebban Boxall
said the situation was “disappointing”.

“No-one wants to say anything
properly because then they will be committed to spending money on it,” he
said.

For more of this story, see Wednesday’s Guardian (July 17).