Part of the Sheepyard Inn may be pulled down after a report to council recommended a demolition order be imposed on one of its outbuildings.
The building in question is a 12 by 10 metre corrugated iron shed capable of sleeping as many as 20 people, built in 2003.
According to the building inspectors report the building is unsafe, with little in the way of structural members that could provide resistance against strong winds, while the iron is fixed at points considerably in excess of its design requirements.
The inspector also questioned the fire safety of the building, which only has one exit.
Administrator Hugh Percy was to make a decision on whether or not to have the building pulled down at last week's council meeting, but instead he has deferred a decision until the February meeting to give the proprietors, Sue Tomlinson and Ted King, time to put together a submission on why the building should be spared.
The inspection process came about as an attempt to legitimise the existence of the Sheepyard Inn after it became apparent it did not have, and apparently had never had, the proper building approvals.
Mr King, however, disputed this, stating they had approval from the Department of Mineral Resources before any additions were made.
He said that although the building was advertised for accommodation, it was rarely used.
"It's really just for whenever somebody's stuck for accommodation, just a few spare beds for when they're desperate," he said.
The report states the building would have to be pulled down and rebuilt to comply with code, but Mr King is confident they can find another solution.
"We accept council's decision and will do everything in our power to make it comply. We feel we can bring it up to standard without pulling it down," he said.
Mr Percy said if they could prove their case council would re-examine the situation, but only if he was thoroughly convinced.
"The big issue for us is safety," he said.
"If something happened out there the shire would be responsible. The last thing we want is a backpacker fire, with people ending up in jail. Unless they give me a very good reason I'll have no choice but to enforce the demolition order."
It was not all bad news for the popular drinking hole.
The main pub building was issued with a building certificate on the condition the door handles be made easier to use in the event of a fire, while a recently added railway carriage that is used as a kitchen and dining room was given unconditional approval.
The Sheepyard Inn is opposed in its efforts to gain building certificates for the most recent additions to the pub complex by the Glengarry, Grawin and Sheepyard Miners Association (GGSMA), which owns the lease to the land on which it is built.
GGSMA secretary Toby Nesmith expressed concern that they had never been consulted about any of the developments.
"When you do something on somebody else's land you should ask the owner," he said.
"We have never once been asked about the extensions. We accepted the business the way it was at the time that Sue and Ted took it over, but not now they have added a restaurant and accommodation."
Mr King characterised the animosity from the GGSMA as an inability to move with the times.
"The GGSMA just don't want us here. When we first came (three years ago) we were told not to change anything, to just keep it all as it was and not make any improvements. They can't handle change," Mr King said.
He also levelled accusations of unprofessional conduct at two council employees. He asked that their employment contracts be reveiwed, "because I feel we've been harassed by them".
Mr Percy said he would look into the matter if Mr King and Ms Tomlinson wanted to proceed with it, but he advised them against doing so.
"If they lodge a formal complaint I will see that it is fully investigated, and if the matter is proved there are a number of penalties that can be imposed, including dismissal," Mr Percy said.
"However, I think we would all be better off if everybody stuck to the issue and didn't make it personal."
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