CWA landmark’s fate to be decided in May

The association’s State executive has recommended the sale to its members as it has been advised the building requires replacement or upgrades to the tune of $1.7 million, with long-term expenditure to improve the facility to a “medium standard” potentially costing $3m.

But some CWA members think the money spent on these costing estimates would have been better spent on renovations in the first place.

“They have been getting input from so-called experts and their advice is costing big money,” said president of the Northern Tablelands CWA group, (comprising local branches from Armidale to Tenterfield) Emmie Forge.

Mrs Forge said while she could only be certain about her own opinion, she believed plenty of other CWA members felt the same.

“I think our Armidale branch in particular has some very strong views on it,” she said.

She suggested complaints about the condition of the building and accommodation it offered were wide of the mark.

“When you visit, you’re usually out all day, and then you come back to a clean room, clean linen with a hot shower and breakfast in the morning,” she said.

“What more do you need?”

Mrs Forge said the main problem she had with the proposal to sell the building was it would be difficult to find another with as good a location as Potts Point.

“Just about all of us are in agreement it’s a fantastic spot where it is,” she said.

“I think it would be a real pity to see it go.”

CWA Cowra Evening branch member Rowena Casey was happy to trust the recommendations of the property sub-committee, which had been examining the question to sell or refurbish for years.

“This is not a hasty decision... it goes back to 2008,” Mrs Casey said.

“I have stayed there (in the Potts Point building) a number of times, but the building is getting very old and tired.”

Mrs Casey said she noticed electrial problems, cracks in some of the walls, dampness in one corner of the building and an elevator frequently broken down.

“There was a lot of work with a developer about redeveloping the site, but now that is not financially viable,” she said.

“I hope all the members take the opportunity to be well-informed.”

CWA NSW State president Tanya Cameron said while the head office and the residential club had been based at the Potts Point site for a long time, and it would be sad to leave the site, the heart and soul of the CWA was the members – not bricks and mortar.

“The advocacy we do is not dependent on a building, it is based on passion, empathy, intelligence and a desire to achieve a better future for women, families and communities,” she said.

“The recommendation to sell is based on sound judgment, significant research and extensive consultation with building and property experts.”

The NSW CWA property sub-committee has considered many alternative options and commissioned various reports and information to help them make their decision, she said.

This included a survey of all members, an assessment of the current condition of the building, a commercial assessment of the site and a site valuation.

If the members vote to sell the building at the State conference in May, the State executive will proceed to make alternate arrangements for member accommodation with an established accommodation provider.

The proposal is then to buy a commercial building for head office operations with additional floors available to lease, which would provide an income stream to support the CWA activities, Mrs Cameron said.