The National Trust is seeking a new lease for the Millicent Museum with Wattle Range Council but does not want to pay the hefty insurance premiums on buildings it does not own.


The cost of insurance more than doubled in the past financial year to $23,600 and was the largest item of expenditure by far in the 2023/24 balance sheet of the Millicent National Trust branch.


It exceeded the $9200 spent on repairs and maintenance and the $6900 on electricity.


The income from museum admission fees only exceeded the insurance cost by $300.


The buildings and land of the original Millicent Primary School and the headmaster’s house were gifted by the State Government to local government around 55 years ago.


Since then, the Millicent National Trust has added buildings for the shipwreck display, T-class locomotive, horse-drawn vehicles etc.


Millicent National Trust chairman Barry Long told the recent branch annual general meeting that it was his understanding the obligation for it to pay the insurance on council-owned buildings had not been the case years ago.


Mr Long said the lease with Wattle Range Council had expired 18 months ago.


“We want to re-negotiate the lease without the Millicent National Trust paying the insurance on the buildings it does not own,” Mr Long said.


Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll attended the meeting but did not take part in any discussions.


The council has been approached for comment.


The South East Family History Group shares one of the council-owned buildings as its research centre.


The Millicent National Trust balance sheet showed it received $2400 from the SEFHG for insurance and a similar amount for its share of electricity.


Earlier this year, the Beachport District Development Association succeeded in its application to council to no longer pay the insurance cost on the former Beachport Institute/South Coast Cinema which it leases from Wattle Range Council.