At a recent council meeting Cr Keith Dance, who chairs the committee driving the redevelopment of Kyla Park Hall, said residents wanted answers to a number of questions.

He told council residents had posed specific questions about termites and missing tables and crockery, which remained unanswered.

This was at council’s policy and strategy meeting, where general manager Paul Anderson said: “those questions have been answered verbally at a number of meetings”.

But association president Michael Johnson wrote to the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner this week and disputed this.

“We’ve been seeking answers from the council regarding the loss of the Kyla Park Hall since December 6, 2009, and, to date, we have been told...nothing by the council either in writing or verbally,” he said.

Mr Johnson said the association wanted to know; how the hall fell into such rapid disrepair given it was solid and sound when handed to council in February 2002? Could council provide evidence of the annual building inspections/maintenance, and copies of the pest inspections? And, why did council leave a termite infestation unchecked for so long?

Mr Johnson said these questions were never answered.

“We have also enquired about the $250,000 repair bill,” Mr Johnson said.

“How many builders/consultants have inspected the damage and could we look at the quotes/reports?”

According to Mr Johnson, a builder, only one quote/report was done.

“We asked about the damage, and how the $250,000 figure had been arrived at and were told that it was ‘just a number’.”

The general manager might describe the situation as unfortunate but Mr Johnson said the local community thought the situation “criminal”.

“We raised the money and built the hall with our own hands, in our own spare time,” he said. “The hall was a $300,000 unencumbered community asset that is now a $250,000 liability. That is a half-a-million dollar turn around for the community, and for the shire.”

The Progress Association says this proves council is unqualified and incapable of property management, and that Kyla Park Hall should be returned to the community.