Work for the Dole participants in Dubbo say they'll be devastated and left with nowhere to go if the site they work on is sold off after a lease agreement expires.
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The Indigenous Concepts and Networking (ICaN) commercial nursery operates on a site adjoining Cobra and Monash Streets, which it leases from the NSW Government owned Forestry Corporation.
That lease expires in June and ICaN owner Robert Riley fears there is a plan to sell off the site.
"Four weeks ago they [the Forestry Corporation] let me know we'll go month by month once the lease ends," he said.
"We want to extend the lease into the future because we help 500 Aboriginal people each year."
Making future plans is almost impossible because of the Forestry Corporation's decision not to extend or renew the leasing arrangement, Mr Riley said.
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"Where we are now is an ideal location for the nursery because it's easy to get to and many Aboriginal people don't have a licence and it's easy to get here," he said.
Revenue generated from the nursery business helps ICaN deliver a range of social initiatives including Work for the Dole, disability access and training, clean ups around Dubbo housing estates and carer programs.
"It'd be devastating if the nursery couldn't operate anymore," Work for the Dole participant Kylie Powell told the Daily Liberal.
"Without this nursery we'd be home sitting around, looking for something to do.
"This is a place we all get together and work, and learn about plants and nature."
A Forestry Corporation spokesperson confirmed the organisation is reviewing future options for the ICaN site, as part of a wider review of similar sites across NSW.
"[This is] predominately to ensure we find appropriate uses for excess sites and ensure our office premises for staff are fit for purpose," the spokesperson said.
"The Monash Street site currently houses the Forestry Corporation office and the former nursery section is leased to ICaN.
"The ICaN lease runs to June 2019 and has provision for continuation under a monthly licence beyond this date.
"No other decisions have been made on the future use of the site and Forestry Corporation will continue to keep site users informed as the process progresses."
During a visit to the nursery on Monday, NSW Shadow Finance Minister Clayon Barr and Country Labor candidate for Dubbo Stephen Lawrence promised to convene urgent meetings with the Forestry Corporation if the Opposition wins the state election.