By Jesse Graham
THE future of the Lilydale and District Historical Society is secure for another five years, after long negotiations with the council ended with a renewal of their lease.
The Mail reported in February that the society had been in discussion with council about renewing its five-year lease on the Old Lilydale Court House, which is shared with the U3A.
However, the group had raised concerns about the costs of utilities, such as heating, that was causing financial difficulties for the society – the 140-year-old building’s 30-foot high cathedral ceilings meant heating became an expensive ordeal.
In the society’s September newsletter, they announced that the lease had been renewed, and the group’s issued addressed.
President Sue Thompson told the Mail that the council had installed a ceiling fan, blinds, improved locks, an improved heating system on a timer and had repaired an outside storage shed.
She said the heating bills were “extraordinary” with the old heating system, but that she was satisfied with the improvements and the resolution with council.
Ms Thompson paid tribute to council officers Bob Mason and Michelle Danks for their work in negotiating the new lease and utilities.
“It took a lot of hard work and negotiation, and I think the real issue about all of this was there was an absolute lack of communication,” she said.
“The council staff have been fantastic – we put all the cards on the table, and what everyone wanted and what everyone could do … and we’ve come to a great agreement.”
Because the society shares the court house with the U3A equally, the two groups agreed to split the bills and costs 50/50.
She said the groups would also sit down with council in a year and assess the agreements, and see what issues may have arisen.
“I think all of us have learned from this exercise, council as well as ourselves, in that you keep in touch, you keep talking and you have reviews,” Ms Thompson said.
“It was just one of those situations where approaching it in a different way would have been a good way to go for us all, but that’s all water under the bridge.”
