Lithgow Information and Neighbourhood Centre (LINC) is in negotiations to relocate due to outgrowing its space on Padley Street, which is owned by Lithgow City Council.
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The organisation has been in conversations with Western Sydney University (WSU) to move into the WSU Lithgow campus building.
LINC general manager Sharon Holt said there were major concerns about LINC's current building, including rising damp, which staff feared could cause a health hazard in the future.
Ms Holt said she had to move staff members due to damp offices, causing space to become limited.
"We're just becoming too big for this space and the state of the building isn't up to standard," she said.
Ms Holt said while WSU held the lease, Lithgow City Council owns the university building on the corner of Mort and Bridge streets and had been supportive of their plan to move.
"We've met with council four times and they're aware of the situation and have said we are a priority for them, to relocate us either temporarily or permanently," she said.
Lithgow City Council mayor Cr Ray Thomspon said he was aware of discussions between the parties and would love to see the building used.
"LINC need to relocate and being a part of the uni could be very good for the community, an asset like LINC can help Lithgow and I'm happy to support it," he said.
Ms Holt said at the moment the Western Sydney building was looking quite favourable.
"We need somewhere to move and that's why we've approached Western Sydney Uni. It's looking promising.
"We've been in conversations with WSU and our intentions would be to relocate to the building permanently, but it's still all in negotiations," she said.
If LINC were to relocate into the university, Ms Holt said there would be an opportunity for research into food services and homelessness.
"I've been talking to Dr Louise Crabtree from WSU who has been really helpful in discussing paths for LINC," she said.
Ms Holt said the idea of having the opportunity to research was exciting for both LINC and Western Sydney University.
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Western Sydney University Institute for Culture and Society director of engagement and Senior Fellow researcher Doctor Louise Crabtree said the uni planned to hold a stakeholder workshop in May.
"The workshop will help plan the future of the Lithgow campus and how the university can help Lithgow transition to a sustainable future," Dr Crabtree said.
She said people would be able to discuss issues facing Lithgow, possible responses and agencies to be involved.
"Nothing has been determined but WSU needs to decide what other [tenants] to have in the building, basically to figure out the best entities to have.
"And LINC are part of the discussions and are potential tenants," she said.
Dr Crabtree said there had been discussions between LINC and the uni about concerns for the community of Lithgow so the university wanted to help create a sustainable future for the town.
"What does Lithgow want to look like in 20 years time? What makes it a buzzing hub?," she said.
She said Western Sydney University wanted to make the campus a game-changer for Lithgow.
Ms Holt said, while everything was still uncertain, LINC had also received a letter of support from Calare MP Andrew Gee and had sought one from Bathurst MP Paul Toole.
Mr Gee said he had made it very clear to WSU that he'd like them to stay in Lithgow as a lot of money and effort had gone into getting them set up here. He also said he supported LINC moving into the building.
"It would be a shame to see them leave the city. However, if the university makes what would be a very sad decision to stop teaching in Lithgow, then I believe that the site should be returned to the community," he said.
"After meeting with LINC I’ve indicated to the university that I would support LINC moving into the building in the unfortunate event that the uni did make a decision not to continue teaching there as LINC has outgrown its current home on Padley Street."
He also said he was aware of the preliminary discussions between LINC and WSU about relocating and researching.
"I'm not sure how it will pan out but the most important thing is to get the best possible result for Lithgow," he said.
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