Wagga's historic ambulance station could soon pass into private hands under a plan to sell the building that is being vehemently opposed by community leaders. The historic building on Johnston Street has stood vacant for four years, with the NSW government reportedly preparing to list it for sale after valuing it at $1.25 million.
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Community groups and leaders are pushing back against the sale, arguing that the site was constructed using community funds in 1929 and "gifted" to the NSW government and should rightfully return to the community. Land title records show that in 1927 the NSW Ambulance Board paid a transfer of £1300 for the building which cost £5500 to construct.
Peter Gissing, whose grandfather Harry Gissing spearheaded the initial construction and operation of the station in the 1920s, said the building should be returned.
"The service was founded on the basis that it was a free service to the community supported by voluntary contributions and fundraising," Mr Gissing said. "The community of Wagga built this building and provided the service, and I think it's only right that we should have access to it now that it is no longer required by the ambulance service."
Mayor Greg Conkey, with the backing of Riverina MP Joe McGirr and business and community groups, is now calling on state leaders to prevent the private sale after more than a year of petitioning for its return to council through a reduced-cost sale.
"Today I'm reaching out to the Deputy Premier seeking an urgent meeting to have this historic building behind me gifted to the citizens of Wagga," Councillor Conkey said outside the ambulance station. "The urgency now is that a new valuation has taken place of this building ... and the state government, very shortly I believe, will put this on the market and it may go out of public hands to private hands."
A spokesperson for NSW Health said they are supportive of the asset returning to the community but they are obliged to offload assets at market value under Treasury guidelines.
"The former ambulance station site was offered to the local Council in early 2020 at market value with a restriction on title for 15 years, which significantly reduces the purchase price," the spokesperson said.
Dr McGirr said an initial understanding between the city and Health Minister Brad Hazzard seems to have been swept aside after the million-dollar valuation.
"We met with the health minister and we thought we had an agreement for the purchase of this by the council at a considerably reduced price ... it's been revalued, and it has now gone above one million dollars," he said.
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