Councillors vote to liquify properties

SEVEN City of Greater Bendigo-owned properties declared surplus to the council’s needs will be sold off, with the proceeds to be deposited into either its Public Space Reserve or Land and Buildings Reserve.

The properties include the former Leichardt Hall and Tennis Courts, the former Lockwood Tennis Club, a small car park behind the Long Gully shops on Eaglehawk Road and 3-4 Lindsay Court Strathfieldsaye.

The council has also voted to retain two properties located at The Strand, Kennington and Lona Close, Spring Gully due to the lack of safe access to similar nearby green spaces.

Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said as part of the City’s strategic asset management and long-term financial plan, its portfolio is continually reviewed to ensure that it meets the growing and changing needs of the community, is provided equitably across the municipality, and that buildings are safe and fit for purpose.

“As the population grows and the demographics of various areas change, there are different building and land needs,” he said.

“The significant and growing costs associated with maintaining such a large property portfolio is not sustainable and means there are limited funds to undertake upgrades and renewal projects to meet current community expectations and needs.

“This means it’s becoming even more important to regularly monitor the portfolio of properties across Greater Bendigo, in line with the City’s Long Term Financial Plan 2025-2035.

“Progressing the sale of the different properties will take various amounts of time depending on what is required to get the sites ready for sale.”