The hall, built in 1927, occupies a block on Dora Street where the council plans to build a community centre and civic hub, including a new library.

Council has begun acquiring land around the hall to facilitate its plan.

But the hall and the land it occupies are owned by Morisset Memorial Hall and Literary Institute Incorporated.

The group said it had no intention of selling and, in any case, the hall was protected by heritage listing.

That’s a problem for the council.

But the hall has been closed to the public since July last year due to damage sustained in the roof cavity. It means the hall cannot be hired to user groups.

That’s a problem for the owners of the hall.

Locals are now talking about the possibility of a compulsory acquisition.

An inevitable showdown is looming.

“I’ve met with the group and I can see that there’s a lot of value there. A lot of history. A lot of heritage,” Cr Fraser said.

“I’m suggesting that we maintain some of that heritage, like the beautiful floor they have there. That should be retained.

“And the area at the front of the hall where they used to sell tickets. That should be retained,” she said.

Last August, council said it would engage an architect to develop new designs for the multi-purpose community facility that were expected to incorporate parts of Morisset Memorial Hall.

Cr Fraser said the hall was “in a bad state” and she had concerns about the owners’ capability to maintain the building into the future.

She said there was an opportunity “to work together” to deliver “something amazing” for Morisset.

Such collaboration would take into account what the hall’s owners wanted, too, she said.

“I think if we keep talking there’s always a way forward. Let’s work together and see what we can achieve. I’m hopeful we can do that.”

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