Broken Hill City Council’s plan to provide housing for key workers by constructing a multi-storey apartment block on the old Iceworks site at 176-178 Beryl St has been put on ice after the sale of the property fell through.
Originally to be sold via public auction in February last year because of the large unpaid rates bill owing on the property, the owner opted instead for a private sale, with contracts signed a month later, in March.
Council then set its sights on partnering with state government agencies to construct modern apartments to house key workers in the health, education, and emergency services sectors, the aim to improve local services and ease the housing crisis facing the city.
But the Iceworks’ owner passed away before the contracts became unconditionally binding, effectively halting the sale and giving BHCC another tilt at purchasing the building.
But this month, the Estate opted to pay off the rates owed on the property and retain ownership.
Mayor Tom Kennedy says Council is looking for alternative land positions, adding that the idea to construct multi-storey key worker accommodation was important and not something Council would give up on easily.
“From a Council perspective, one of the reasons Council was interested in that site was because the Iceworks is an eyesore to the community. It’s a derelict building that was costing a lot of money in rates that weren’t paid, which we did get.” he said.
“We need to be thankful as a community that we’re able to recover the rates that were owed on that property. That gives Council the opportunity to look at other land where we have money to potentially purchase it.
“It was an idea that was really liked by [Housing Minister] Minister Rose Jackson, a multi-storey building for first time nurses or new time teachers to come to an area that’s close to the city with self-contained rooms, which makes it really easy to move. As a young person going away from your family, the easier it is, the better it is.”
Council’s General Manager, Jay Nankivell, said the outcome with Iceworks was, “pretty unfortunate for everyone. First and foremost, the family has suffered a tragic loss. From Council’s perspective, we’ve had to shelve a project that could have had huge benefits for the city and the community.
“However, our initial conversations with the state government around this project were very positive, so we’ll certainly keep our eyes open for an alternative location to bring it to fruition in the future.
“In the meantime, we’re grateful to the estate for paying off the significant sum of unpaid rates on the property, which will provide a much-needed boost to the city’s finances as we prepare for the 2024/25 budget period.”
