Benalla's mayor says he's "comfortable" with his council's decision to gift five former migrant camp huts, as expressions of interest for a committee to help develop the state heritage listed site open on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Scott Upston said all opinions were taken into consideration when deciding last week to confirm ownership of the huts to three groups that had used them for many years.
"It was council's intent to tidy up any loose ends and give clarity and confirmation to those that had a legal claim to ownership, confidence moving forward when we implement the conservation management plan so we can start to develop the site and turn it into a precinct," he said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Benalla Migrant Camp supporters strongly opposed the decision, but the groups involved Benalla Theatre Company, Gliding Club of Victoria and the Balloon Association of Victoria provided evidence they had already been given the buildings by the former Delatite Council in the early 2000s.
Border historian Bruce Pennay described Benalla Council's response to the state heritage listing as "timid".
"It has not looked beyond the status quo," he said.
Cr Upston said the historian was entitled to his view.
"I take his point, but I'm comfortable that the council, and council staff have done their due diligence on this one and acted in good faith and in accordance with the law," the mayor said.
Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here
