Construction works are underway inside the building of former troubled nightspot Haida with plans to convert it into an accounting firm.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Camp Street building was sold by Charles Kennedy at Colliers International to the director of Sterling Financial, Raj Muker, last year.
The Courier understands construction works including demolishing the toilet, reinstating timber window frames and repairing the door frames has commenced with plans for the building to reopen it as a state-of-the-art accounting firm in the coming months.
Mr Kennedy said Camp Street’s arts precinct was a hive of activity with the Lost Ones Art Galley recently opening directly next door to the former nightclub venue.
The City of Ballarat confirmed it issued a planning permit at the former nightclub venue in November last year for a partial demolition and alterations to begin inside the building.
Nearby traders told The Courier works had been going on inside the building for months. The closure of the nightclub on September 10 came just months after up 15 bikies from the outlawed Finks Motorcycle gang stormed the venue assaulting and intimidating staff and patrons in the early hours of June 7.
Last September, Haida owner Tony Henderson revealed he made the decision to close the popular nightclub after more than five years after being told the building did not comply with the Building Code of Australia.
“For a very long time the landlord was aware that the building was (non) compliant,” Mr Henderson said at the time. “There’s been a lot of speculation guessing why we closed. The simple answer is that the building is non-compliant and will never operate as a nightclub again.”
The move came after the council issued a building order to the owner of 12 Camp Street for non-compliance with the Building Code of Australia on July 25.
The council ordered the building owner to make the necessary improvements but a 60 day deadline for the works was not met. The Courier contacted Mr Muker but he could not be reached before deadline.