Cardinia Shire Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal to sell the Army Road Hall in Pakenham Upper to the Cardinia Civic Concert Band.
The Cardinia Civic Concert Band has a long-standing connection to the hall, having leased it for more than 24 years which gives the band 'existing use rights' to the property. The band was recently relocated to another facility due to the building's deteriorating condition.
The Hall, located on Lot 1 on TP238546B and Lot 1 on TP29705C, is in poor condition due to age and water damage. Despite this, the Council and the band are considering the opportunity for the band to purchase the site and restore it for their continued use and broader community benefit.
The Cardinia Planning Scheme, Rural Conservation Zoning, Environmental Significance Overlay and Bushfire Management Overlay that are applied to the site severely restrict its future use for any potential purchasers, other than the Cardinia Civic Concert Band due to its existing use rights. These overlays and time needed to obtain a permit before existing use rights expire would also prevent any other purchaser from any future development of the site, including undertaking works to restore the existing building.
The existing use rights on the property will expire in February 2026, unless the site is re-occupied and the required works undertaken to make the building safe before this time.
The proposal for a direct sale to the band, rather than placing the property on the open market, is consistent with the State Government's land sale guidelines that Council works under and reflects the unique history and community value of the band's presence at the site.
A certified valuation of the property has been undertaken to determine the value of the property at $20,000 excluding GST, plus sale costs. This certified valuation takes into consideration the constraints on this site and the current condition of the building.
The proposed direct sale is a considered response to a specific set of circumstances. An independent and impartial probity advisor would be engaged to manage all stages of the process, ensuring transparency, fairness and accountability.
Feedback on the proposed sale can be submitted online through Council's Creating Cardinia
