After years of hard work spent trying to reinvigorate the Old Bega Hospital community site, it may be back to square one after October 31.
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The NSW government’s conditional offer of half a million dollars to redevelop the community space expires the day after the annual Raise the Roof Spring Festival later this month.
Old Bega Hospital Reserve Trust member Richard Bomford said the trust had written to Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Skills and Minister for Small Business, John Barilaro, requesting the time period of the original offer be extended.
“We also asked if conditions could be relaxed so we can at the least start some work,” Mr Bomford said.
“Obviously we could look to the community for funding, but we are looking at millions of dollars.
“It’s a state government owned building and it wouldn’t be right to ask the community to pay.”
Member for Bega Andrew Constance announced the state government offer of half a million dollars while still state treasurer in 2015, adding the federal government and local council should also get some “skin in the game” to help with the roughly $2.24million needed to complete the restoration project.
Mr Constance’s office said the minister maintains a close relationship with the trust, which was appointed by the government to undertake day to day management of the community site.
Recently ousted federal MP Peter Hendy announced in June a grant of $20,000 was available to construct and renovate toilets at the site.
Mr Bomford said he fears for the future of the community space if restoration work does not begin swiftly.
“The government likes selling assets so a future state government might just sell it off,” he said.
The uninsured building was used as a community space until it was gutted by a fire caused by an electrical fault in 2004.
Last year’s festival raised $10,000, a long way from the millions needed.