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Thrown out, SARTA looks for new home

The SARTA is looking for a new home after it was evicted from its office by the Transport Training Centre

By Ruza Zivkusic | November 7, 2011

The South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA) has been evicted from its office by the Transport Training Centre, according to a notice posted on the truck lobby’s website.

The SARTA was asked to leave when it declined to accept a double rent increase by the TTC’s new management in September, it says.

The group says it had one meeting with management to discuss the rent increase and request details on the lease agreement and outgoings.

“…rather than providing that information, the TTC advised that it had sourced another tenant, supposedly because the 100 percent increase had not been agreed to and giving 30 days notice to get out,” the SARTA says.

“Oddly, just the next week, TTC advised that it may actually use our existing offices for itself. All this occurred just several months after SARTA resigned from the TTC’s board, after just one meeting due to serious concerns we identified at the meeting.

“Despite numerous requests, SARTA is yet to receive the written advice we have requested from the TTC to resolve those concerns before SARTA could consider re-engaging with the TTC. So our 15-year relationship seems to be at an end.”

The decision on a new office is expected to be made by November 11.

TTC CEO Jason Makarenko, who joined the business in June, says he is unsure why the SARTA issued the comments. He says the matter does not involve the association.

“It’s a confidential matter between myself and a tenant; it has nothing to do with SARTA at all. We have absolutely no idea why the notice was put up on their website,” Makarenko says.

SARTA Executive Director Steve Shearer declined to comment when contacted by ATN.

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