Central Darling Shire Council made several property decision at its August meeting

Council resolved to sell multiple parcels of Council owned vacant land which it says are surplus to current and foreseeable future needs.

Following the recent amendment to the Local Environment Plan, a review of all Council owned Operational Land was undertaken. Council identified lands that are surplus to Council’s needs and for which there is a growing demand.

According to Council there have been many enquiries, especially from government departments including the Aboriginal Housing Office, NSW Police and Teacher Housing, seeking suitable land to construct housing.

“By making available for sale surplus vacant land, Council will be assisting alleviate a critical housing shortage and convert non income producing assets into valuable cashflow,” a spokesperson said.

At the same meeting Council resolved to write-off rates and charges of $5,933.23 outstanding against a terminated Crown Land Licence at White Cliffs.

The reason given is that Council does not see any avenues to recover the outstanding amount.

Council also approved the sale of 18 properties to recover unpaid rates, and authorised the General Manager to perform the necessary actions to enable the land sales, which will include a public auction.

The Local Government Act provides that Council may sell any land (including vacant land) on which any rate or charge has remained unpaid for more than five years from the date on which it became payable.

The sale of land for unpaid rates is, effectively, a last resort to recover outstanding rates, crystalise increasing bad and doubtful debt exposures and, in many cases, to motivate ratepayers to either pay overdue rates or negotiate payment over term.

Council has previously conducted sale of land for unpaid rates auctions, most recently in October 2020, when approximately 83 properties were offered for sale, and in May 2023, when 27 properties were offered for sale.

“Further details will be provided to the community including information about the public auction,” a spokesperson said.

Central Darling Shire Councillors resolved to acquire the necessary land required at Karoola Homestead in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 for the purpose of works for proposed realignments on the Pooncarie Road Initial Seal Project.

Property Owners, Wayne and Arletta Smith, have been lobbying Council since early 2000’s for the road to be realigned for safety reasons, and previous and current General Managers and Director Engineering Services have supported the request.

At the August meeting, Council provided further approval to the General Manager to act in relation to the matter now that the plan of acquisition has been registered.