Brimbank council

Published on Wednesday 23 October, 2013 on http://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/News_Updates/Media_Releases_2013/October_2013/Proposed_sale_of_land_at_93_Furlong_Road_Cairnlea

Council is seeking community feedback for a proposed sale of a 1.925 hectare plot of vacant land at 93 Furlong Road, Cairnlea.

Chair of Brimbank Administrators John Watson said the land was an ideal opportunity to invest in Brimbank as the rapidly growing centre of the West.

“The land, which is in a Mixed Use Zone, has been vacant for a long time; a potential sale presents a great opportunity for appropriate development of the site,” Mr Watson said.

“The purchase and sale of appropriate properties is part of Council ensuring it has the right facilities in the right places at the right time to meet the needs of residents.

“Selling land which is surplus to community needs is an important part of Council’s long-term financial management of the City.”

The site is identified as a site for incremental development in Council’s Home and Housed strategy – which allows for low-scale and low to medium density residential development.

Council undertook a thorough assessment of 93 Furlong Road and found that the area is well serviced with community facilities, so will be an attractive site to a prospective buyer.

Council’s original intent for this plot in 2000 was for the possible development of a civic centre/municipal building.

In February this year, it was decided that the site of the Sunshine Library was the preferred location for a new Library, Community and Civic Centre.

Council cannot and will not sell any land without a full public process of consultation. The first stage of the statutory process that any Council is required to comply with is for Council to publicly signal its intent to sell this land, and then begin the public process to ensure that residents have an opportunity to comment on the proposed sale so Council has all the information prior to making a decision to sell the land.

Council has also appointed a Committee including two Brimbank Administrators (Chair of Brimbank Administrators John Watson and Brimbank Administrator Jane Nathan) to hear any public submissions that are received before a decision can be taken in the matter.

In accordance with a recommendation endorsed at its Ordinary Council Meeting on 22 October 2013 Council will now publicly advertise its intention to sell the land.

Interested residents can make a written submission to Council about the sale of the land.