Office talks ‘continue’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
CITY Hall is still in negotiations to buy Geelong’s tax office building after its owner put the building on the open market, according to Mayor John Mitchell.
“It might be on the open market but if it stacks up financially we’d be one of the ones looking to buy it,” Cr Mitchell said.
The City included a $20 million provision to purchase the Brougham St building in this year’s budget.
The City revealed earlier this year that it intended to move into the building to rationalise two of its four central Geelong sites.
Corporate services general manager Michael Kelly said the City was “involved in ongoing discussions” with the owners.
The tax office is set to vacate the building for new offices in Lt Ryrie St.