The sale will require whoever buys the property to carry out the requirements of a conservation covenant / heritage agreement and implement a conservation management plan estimated to cost around $800,000.

Councillors discussed whether the property should be sold by tender or no reserve auction.

Cr George Gifford was concerned that the property could be sold at auction and then at some stage in the future the new owner would not be able to fully comply with the conservation requirements.

He stated that under the tender process, these conditions could be enforced more legally.

At an Old Junction Hotel Focus Group meeting consisting of four members from the Neergabby Community Association, three councillors and three Gingin administration staff, held on 4th August, the group agreed the property and heritage building should be disposed of by way of an unreserved auction.

Neergabby Community Association president, Peter Ansell, confirmed the association’s position in a letter dated 5th August.

The letter said: “The committee agreed unanimously with the Old Junction Hotel Focus Group’s proposal for the unreserved auction of the Old Junction Hotel.”

The council meeting did not set any date or other conditions for the auction, except for a few councillors enquiring whether the auction would be advertised statewide. Administration did not respond to the councilors enquiries during the council meeting.