The Avon Valley Arts Society are requesting Council consider leasing them the Old Girls School on Wellington Street.
The property known as the Old Girls School was built in 1878 and was formerly the Northam State School, and is owned by the Shire.
The property was previously leased by the Avon Valley Arts Society (AVAS) until their lease expired in December 2011.
In 2013, CY O’Connor leased the building for their Arts classes at a rental of approximately $6,000 per annum and has increased over the years with CPI to $8,500 per annum plus all outgoings.
CY O’Connor ceased leasing the building in August last year.
The Shire identified that if the building is to be left vacant it will be prone to vandalism and will be prone to ill-repair.
The Shire said in July 2017, AVAS initially wrote to the Shire expressing their interest in leasing the property and proposed that the Shire’s Art Collection could be housed at the Old Girls School and put on display.
They said AVAS would need to carefully consider how they use the property because it is Heritage listed and something such as putting a nail in the wall would require a development application.
It has been recommended that Council lease the building to the Avon Valley Art Society in accordance with a not– for-profit lease.
Council will discuss the recommendation at a forum meeting on Wednesday May 9, and vote the following week.
