Club keen to convert vacant school into accommodation

The vacant Lyrup Primary School and Renmark High School buildings may soon be redeveloped into accommodation facilities.

The Lyrup Community Club submitted a proposal to the Renmark Paringa Council, to develop the town's unused school buildings into a caravan park or backpacker accommodation.

The council gave the proposal its support and also resolved to put the old Renmark High School building out for expressions of interest, for a similar use.

The council's CEO, Tony Siviour, says there is plenty of demand for more accommodation in the region.

"We've had people come to us and talk about backpacker accommodation, so I think if that opportunity arises again, then we can facilitate that process and say ... 'here's an opportunity out there at Lyrup'," he said.

"Given the situation of Lyrup with a lot of large holdings out that side of the river, it could be a really good spot.

"If someone comes to us and says, 'we want to set up backpacker accommodation in your district' ... we can say, 'look here's some opportunities - there's one, the Renmark High School and Lyrup could be another one as well'.

"So it's really just that facilitation, saying 'well here's an opportunity, here's some land, it's zoned this, here's the person you should call'."

The Lyrup Community Club will have an opportunity to buy the school, once it is put on the market.

Source: ABC News, 25 January 2013