Mayor Addresses Community Questions on 81 High Street, Campbell Town Purchase

Posted on September 03, 2026

Council is aware that the purchase of 81 High Street has prompted discussion within the Campbell Town community, and I welcome the opportunity to speak to that directly and openly.
While some residents have raised questions about the decision, this reflects the genuine passion many feel for Campbell Town’s heritage. Council also recognises the many residents, volunteers and community members who have long supported finding a permanent, fit-for-purpose home for these services.
The purchase of 81 High Street delivers on that commitment. It is a fit-for-purpose building that will support these services and give our volunteers the space to grow. Council is also pleased that the property will cater as home for the Convict Brick Trail, with expansion work commencing in the coming months alongside the existing reinstatement project.
I understand some residents feel consultation was inadequate, and I take that feedback seriously, and see this as a reflection of their care for Campbell Town. The purchase was considered and approved in the closed section of a Council meeting, consistent with standard practice for property negotiations, where public discussion ahead of settlement can affect price outcomes for ratepayers.
The sale of the Campbell Town Hall was also a carefully considered decision that similarly prompted community discussion at the time. Retaining the Hall was found to be unfeasible given the scale of ongoing maintenance and restoration costs required. As part of that sale, Council committed to finding a suitable new home for the Visitor Information Centre and the Museum, an important commitment to our volunteers, some of whom have served for more than 30 years.
Campbell Town’s heritage and future matter to this whole community, and I am confident this purchase will be seen for what it is: a practical step that secures a lasting home for services our community can rely on for decades.