The Lochinvar School of Arts hall could be eligible for an Aboriginal lands title claim.
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With the Lochinvar School of Arts trust set to fold and Maitland City Council steering clear of the matter, the hall and land on the New England Highway will fall to the state government.
Information provided to council advised that Aboriginal lands councils have, under similar situations, lodged title claims.
Cr Bob Geoghegan said mention of a potential title claim, in a report to council, was no reason to intervene.
“I think that is a good result anyway,” he said. “They have greater difficulty getting money than council does.”
An Aboriginal land council can make a claim to land in NSW under section 36 of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 in certain circumstances.
The act states it can’t be Crown land and must not be subject to lease, be required for essential public
service, or needed for residential housing.
The hall, when the trusteeship folds, will be transferred to the state government under freehold title, making it eligible for claim.
Cr Steve Procter wagered council could still get the hall without spending a cent.
“The state government was happy to give us Maitland Gaol and Walka Water Works,” he said.
“The hall as it stands looks like it would need a terrible amount of money spent on it.”
Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council declined to comment about any title claim.