A public meeting is scheduled for 9 December at Nambucca Heads RSL Club to discuss the proposed sale of Ivy Pacey House, also known as the Nambucca Senior Citizens Centre or ‘Nambucca Seniors’.

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As previously reported in NOTA, the committee of the incorporated association which owns the building, Nambucca Senior Citizens Club, has decided to sell the building through a local real estate agency despite being gifted the asset for the nominal fee of $1 by Nambucca Shire Council in 2013.

The property at 11 Kent Street was originally donated by Ms Ivy Pacey, a well-respected member of the Nambucca community, with the intention that it be used for community purposes.

When the Nambucca Shire Council transferred ownership of the property there was a clear understanding that it would be utilised as a senior citizens centre or for hire by similar community groups.

Nambucca Valley Council Mayor Gary Lee said he was alarmed at the potential sale.

He told NOTA that the owners intend to divest the property and deposit the proceeds into an interest-bearing account, effectively depriving the community of a valuable resource for future use.

“We must explore every possible avenue before allowing this sale to proceed,” he urged.

“The building has the potential to serve as a vital hub for community groups and activities, just as it was intended,” he added.

Both State and Federal Members for the region have echoed Lee’s dismay.

“It is deeply concerning that a generous gift from Ivy Pacey to benefit the local community was sold for just $1, only for it now to be publicly listed for sale at over $800,000,” Federal Cowper MP Pat Conaghan said.

“This is a clear departure from the original intentions, and it certainly doesn’t pass the pub test.

“There are many groups, such as community childcare or preschools, that could make full use of this facility and continue the tradition of community service.”

In a press statement, State Member Michael Kemp told NOTA, “The building was gifted to the Nambucca Senior Citizens for $1 in 2013.

“Since 2020, $60,000 of NSW government and more than $20,000 of federal government money has been used to improve the building up to its current standard.

“It would be a significant shame to lose this resource for the community to access and personally, I don’t feel like it passes the pub test either.

“If the current committee does not feel they can continue, then it should be passed on to another community group.”

He said he would prefer for the building to remain in the hands of Nambucca Seniors and hopes the group can find a way to continue the great work done so far supporting seniors of the region.

He encouraged all community members concerned to attend the public meeting on 8 December.

By Ned COWIE