01 June 2015
In the South Australian town of Brighton, residents are being offered a chance to part own the local town hall to keep it owned locally and within the community instead of being sold to developers. The Original Town Hall group is asking the community to donate to a fighting fund to buy the site from Holdfast Bay Council.
Campaigners last year failed to convince councillors to retain the hall, and expressions of interest will be called in the coming weeks to find a buyer. The 1869 building holds significant historical importance as it is where Australia’s first female politician — Susan Grace Benny — was elected in 1919.
Original Town Hall organiser Deanna Howland said the co-operative model, which brought together shareholders to operate a business, would work for the hall after the community’s eagerness to use the space was shown.
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