The 3000 square metre property has been listed to go under the hammer on March 5, featuring three freehold titles with the 1885 Edwardian building along with a second office building facing Anson Street.

Orange City Council has previously contacted the state government about the building when the number of staff was downsized and mayor Reg Kidd said he met with Western NSW parliamentary secretary Rick Colless on the matter.

“We haven’t heard anything back from [Property NSW] at all until we heard it was being auctioned – if there is an expression of interest from a body, you have to have discussions with them I believe,” he said.

“There’s parking and security – it’s a beautiful building and it’s got incredible potential as a community centre.”

Last year, Property NSW told the Central Western Daily any submission from the council would be considered, but a spokeswoman said in a statement the department never received a formal expression of interest from the council regarding the property.

She said the council still had an opportunity to acquire the property through the sale process.

“There is no obligation for Property NSW to contact the local council prior to listing a surplus or underutilised property on the market unless it is eligible for divestment to council under the Government’s community use policy,” she said.

“The former Lands Office building in Orange is not eligible for divestment under this policy because its value exceeds the policy threshold.”

Bathurst City Council recently succeeded in having the former ambulance station gifted to ratepayers under the policy, at no charge.

“We would be happy to discuss the property with the council, if approached. Property NSW and Orange City Council have a constructive working relationship,” the spokeswoman said.

“Unlike the Bathurst ambulance building, the former Orange Lands Office does not meet the criteria for preferential council acquisition under the same policy or terms.”

She said a competitive auction would ensure the best possible return.

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