While many other towns bulldozed their art deco theatres in the 1970s and '80s, Yass' Liberty survived. Its flat - rather than sloping - floor enabled it to be repurposed. Among other things, it has been a skating rink and video store.

The Tribune has long followed the fortunes of this building.

In May 2004, Touie and Denise Smith took out a full-page advertisement in the Tribune to proclaim they were the new owners and to invite community input for its redevelopment. With great optimism, they'd even appointed a project manager.

In 2012, when the Tribune asked 'what's happening with the Liberty?' we received a tour of the facility by the Smiths, who outlined their dream for the building. It was big on grand ideas if a little short on detail.

What has gone wrong along the way is unclear. Mr Smith wants you to believe that it is council's fault. And council want you to believe it is Mr Smith's fault.

Surely there must be some blame on both sides?

But it is clear that a stalemate has been reached and nothing is going to change in the short term.

Now, the Smiths have put a plan that rests on the community on the table. Again it is short on detail - just a promise of a $500,000 interest-free loan to a community group that can "put together a good business plan".

If it doesn't happen will it then be the 'community's' fault?

The old chestnut 'If you want something badly enough you find away, if you don't you find an excuse' could be applied here.

Yes, development is a long, hard and costly road - especially restoring and refurbishing such a large and iconic building. But is it fair for the Smiths to blame council and potentially the community for the failure of the dream and share none of it themselves?

If the owners are no longer willing to develop this icon of Yass we wonder what chance community members - with little or no financial stake in the building - would have?

If a group does form and come forward to take on this project we'll be quite surprised but supportive all the way.