Greater Shepparton City Council is just hours away from deciding whether it will be involved in the revitalisation of the former Dhurringile Prison site or abandoning the idea of having a part in its future beyond supporting any private investment that might benefit the region.
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Despite a 50-plus-page council-commissioned report by independent consultant Urban Enterprise deeming “the long-term community and economic benefits outweigh the financial risks associated with purchasing the site”, council management has recommended council does not progress with the purchase.
The Urban Enterprise report was made public on Thursday morning ahead of a four-day Easter long weekend, giving the public one business day to read before council’s next meeting today, April 22.
Members of the community, particularly the equestrian community, who have shown great interest in the site, and the Dhurringile Mansion Revitalisation Committee, are struggling to understand the staff recommendation when the report lists multiple mitigation solutions to reduce the outlined risks.
They want to know why council is not taking the time to properly explore all its options before shutting down the idea.
“The Urban Enterprises report goes as far as to say the purchase presents the opportunity for substantial long-term strategic economic asset for the region,” Destination Goulburn Valley chair Eugenie Stragalinos said.
“I think that sums it up perfectly because that’s what we at DGV see it is. But I was incredibly surprised and probably a bit disappointed, to be honest, that council’s recommendation paper says the complete opposite of that.
“They can look at opportunities like private investment, like federal-state grants, it’s perplexing to me as to why they’re so quick to want to shut this down rather than explore those options further, which is what the report is recommending they do.”
Ms Stragalinos said the opportunity to purchase the site and leverage its history was too good to ignore.
“DGV sees it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; it’s one that’s come our way by the state making a decision that impacted jobs and impacted local economic developments, but let’s not turn it into a white elephant; let’s take control of it and see how we can actually use it to our advantage,” she said.
“The answer might still be no, but why is it even being shut down without giving it a red-hot go?”
Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell echoed Ms Stragalinos’ opinion after hearing several community members’ concerns directly.
“I think it would be wise to explore all options before making a final decision,” Mr Birrell said.
“I don’t see any harm in taking a bit more time to examine exactly what the possibilities are and how they might play out.”
While he is not currently in a position to make any funding announcements to help with costs in restoring or converting the Dhurringile site for future use, Mr Birrell said the Nationals had proposed a $20 billion Regional Future Fund that would provide a “bucket of funds” for various projects that would benefit the community and region if in government.
New Shepparton resident and trade and investment adviser Geoffrey Gold recognised the Dhurringile Mansion Revitalisation Committee’s foresight in identifying the equine and tourism accommodation sectors as key opportunities for the site.
"It’s a view now confirmed by Urban Enterprise’s independent report to council,“ Mr Gold said.
“It would be a shame to forfeit the first right of refusal without fully exploring ways to maximise the site’s potential.
“This includes opportunities to integrate existing regional equine and livestock activities, leveraging state and national event branding, offering connected accommodation from popular to premium heritage experiences, and mitigating risks through potential covenant adjustments and canvassing private sector interest.”
The local equestrian community has been working to create a vision for a one-stop facility to service several disciplines of equine-related activity in the state since Dhurringile Prison closed last year.
International Grand Prix World Cup showjumper Scottie Barclay said there was a lack of facilities in Victoria for those purposes.
“I think it could be great,” he said.
“There are that many horses in the area and not enough facilities — I’m all for it.”
Shepparton business owner Carolyn Young, who has one of the few remaining heritage-listed shopfronts in Shepparton, Pinch of Salt in Fryers St, has been keenly interested in discussions surrounding the former prison site’s future and agrees that equestrian would be an “amazing drawcard” for the region.
“The money that equestrian generates is huge and the beauty of it is that we’re all on the same page with this, so many horse disciplines don’t have the facilities they need in this area,” she said.
“But council has kept it quiet. This paper has been out to the public for five days, but only one business day.
“If I wasn’t a part of all this, I wouldn’t have heard about it.”
Ms Young’s concerns about the site’s future extend further than a lost opportunity to convert the site into an equestrian powerhouse.
She said the heritage tied to the buildings on the site was “such a valuable thing for us to have”.
“I don’t know how council can just flippantly disregard that,” she said.
“My passion is for maintaining the history so it doesn’t get lost.
“The horse part is providing the income to maintain this dream.”
Dhurringile Mansion Revitalisation Committee chair Sherri Smith-Hoyer agreed.
“This council and previous councils do not have a great track record of protecting our historical buildings,” Mrs Smith-Hoyer said.
“Community has felt the loss of value of our history. People feel defeated, like they don’t have a voice. Council is being short-sighted.
“We’ll never get this chance again, we’ll have lost again.”
The Victorian Government placed an indicative value on the 640-acre site, including buildings and mansion, of $2.5 million for government entities during the first right of refusal period, which Greater Shepparton City Council applied successfully to have extended until last Thursday, April 17, after it submitted an informal expression of interest earlier in the year.
Officers sought a further extension to enable a decision at council’s April meeting.
Council’s Dhurringile Future Options report estimates that ongoing annual maintenance costs of the site would be $400,000, with a minimum of $3 million required initially for base restoration of the current heritage buildings.
The Urban Enterprise report also states that “significant cost would be required to refurbish these sites for tourism uses”.
“Council officers have thoroughly reviewed the information about the site and recommended that it withdraws its tentative expression to the first right of refusal process to purchase the Dhurringile Estate based on a number of significant reasons identified within the council report,” council acting chief executive Gary Randhawa said.
“Council officers believe that the risks present significant organisational financial liability.
“It is noted that we believe our role is best to support, where possible, and outside of the first right of refusal process, suitable private investment opportunities that could benefit the region.”
Several councillors were contacted by The News on Easter Monday, but declined to comment until after today’s meeting, where they will make the final decision to purchase the Dhurringile site or not.
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