COUNTRY Women's Association members who thought they still had a chance to overturn the decision to sell the Potts Point headquarters are outraged the building has been sold behind their backs.
A group of 21 delegates to this May's annual conference had secured a special meeting set for October 31, where the CWA was supposed to debate a motion calling for the decision to sell the building to be rescinded.
Before this meeting could take place, however, CWA NSW president Tanya Cameron confirmed the building was already sold for $18.4 million to a private Chinese group, who plan to develop the site for residential purposes.
One of the group of 21 anti-sale delegates, who did not want to be named, said the way this process had occurred was contrary to everything the CWA stood for.
"There's a total lack of transparency... and a lack of respect for grassroots members," she said.
The delegate said none of the CWA members who were planning on attending the October 31 meeting had been informed the building was being sold beforehand and said the way it had been managed was "a matter of deep concern."
"A lot of people are very upset," she said.
In a prepared statement, Ms Cameron said although there was significant sentiment attached to the site, a decision had been made that a sale was the best option for members.
“This is a great outcome, which takes the pressure off members who no longer have to raise funds to support an ageing building,” Ms Cameron said.
Ray White’s Jeff Moxham said the new owner was planning a residential redevelopment to capitalise on the site’s prime, elevated position, allowing for views of Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay.
Roderick Makim
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
