Elise Archer MP

I write in response to the Education Minister Lin Thorp’s letter (Letters, 1 November 2010) in relation to the sale of the former South Hobart Adult Education Centre. Suggestions that the State Government is planning to sell the heritage building are disturbing, and show signs of a Government that is short-sighted. It disappoints me that the best excuse the Government can come up with for selling the site is that it can no longer afford to cover operational costs such as insurance, repairs and maintenance.

The South Hobart Progress Association has been campaigning hard for the retention of the site for community use for well over a year. Many other community groups have also expressed an interest in using the various spaces in the building, but no group has the financial resources to purchase such a significant property outright.

This is a heritage listed building and therefore, must be preserved for the South Hobart and greater Hobart communities into the future. I will continue to support the South Hobart Progress Association as they lobby hard for the retention of this vital piece of local community infrastructure.

Regards

Elise Archer MP
Shadow Minister for Community Development
Liberal Member for Denison