PLANS to move Wedderburn’s history records museum into the town’s old court house have been stalled by State Government red tape.
Loddon Shire Council has been trying to buy the High Street building for more than a year.
The push has seen property valuations obtained by council and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
But shire chief executive officer Lincoln Fitzgerald told last week’s council meeting that council was “struggling to see ... progress in a timely fashion” from the Department of Treasury and Finance.
“We are now investigating alternative ways to get access to the building,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
He had been questioned by Wedderburn Ward councillor Gavan Holt who said the revised council infrastructure plan no longer included $100,000 for toilets at the Wedderburn Historic Records Museum’s current home in the original Korong Shire offices in High Street.
Mr Fitzgerald said there would be discussions to formulate a plan to have the historical society in the old court house as soon as possible.
The old shire offices were used by council from 1874 until 1962 with the society making the historic building its home in 1978, a decade after its formation.
Society secretary Alan Mulraney last year said the original shire offices lacked toilets and other facilities.
President Daryl Arnott said several other groups were likely to share the court house complex.
“We can make it a real community hub and encourage people to join the organisations,” he said.
“This will be a real positive for the community and groups in Wedderburn.”
Loddon Shire councillors in November  2023 voted to buy the old court house at valuation using money from its land and buildings reserve fund.
They also decided to instruct Mr Fitzgerald to dispose of the council-owned for Korong Shire offices after purchasing the old court house.