OPINION: Murrindindi Shire Council has a rare opportunity to almost double the size of the Yea Shire Hall, after the Carters Milk Bar deal fell through with the Yea and District Historical Society.

The Council could provide for future expansion of the Shire Hall, by acquiring the historic milk bar site alongside. A price of $300,000 had been secured by the Historical Society, but efforts to raise the cash failed by the April 12 deadline.

Yea is becoming an increasingly busy tourism town. While the Council has the cheque book out, how about an impressive band rotunda in the High St plantation?

Imagine the sound of visiting brass bands performing at weekends in a rotunda, in an impressive tourism promotion. The rotunda could be the centrepiece of a tourism precinct that included antique stores, gift shops, a heritage centre and other tourism attractions to complement existing food and drink venues.

An expanded Shire Hall and rotunda attraction could focus on highlighting local industries such as Yea Valley vineyards and local food producers. Perhaps a weekly indoor market could be an attraction in the months when the Yea Railway Market does not operate outdoors.

It’s time for the Council to lead with some bold steps.