It comes as discussions between the two parties continue to move in a positive direction, culminating in council granting a right of way easement over the existing access driveway to the media company’s Mount Gambier property during last week’s monthly meeting.
The move to grant the easement brings an end to the binding of the two issues, which have led to negotiations between the parties.
In light of council’s decision, chief executive officer Andrew Meddle expected positive conversations surrounding the access to historical footage to keep “bubbling along” with WIN Television production manager Andrew Sculley.
“I have found WIN Television straightforward and honest to deal with,” Mr Meddle said.
“We have always been driven to have the morale high ground and we are pleased they have continued to negotiate with us in good faith.”
Mr Meddle recently visited the Mount Gambier WIN Television site where the historical tapes were being prepared for transport to Ballarat.
“They are as keen as we are to get this footage archived appropriately with the National Sound and Film Archives,” Mr Meddle said.
“I visited the site recently and they were preparing the tapes for transport to Ballarat where they will be kept safe in a secure climate-controlled facility.”
Council hopes to secure a non-exclusive licence to the footage at no cost once it is archived by the National Sound and Film Archives.
At the full council meeting last week, Cr Frank Morello thanked Mr Meddle for strongly advocating the council’s position to WIN Television.
“The preservation of this footage is important to us because it tells our story, frames our legacy and serves as a historical account of key moments and events that shape Mount Gambier’s history over many decades,” Mr Morello said.
“I am pleased how WIN Television appreciates how important the preservation and access to this footage is to the community.”
Cr Ben Hood also agreed it was great to see the matter starting to progress in a positive direction.
“We know what a great corporate citizen WIN Television is and I know they want – as much as council do – to have this footage available for our community.
“There are a lot of people excited that we are going to be able to have some of these historical moments that WIN Television have captured faithfully.”
