Shire wants feedback on land selloff proposal

GOLDEN Plains Shire Council wants to sell vacant land in Bannockburn and use the proceeds for providing what it describes as community infrastructure.

It is accepting public comment on the proposal until 5pm on Friday 27 February.

The 3.5ha site is at 132 Milton Street in the northern part of the Bannockburn Recreation Precinct – itself covering 13.2ha and designated as a multipurpose sports area – and was deemed as surplus to council needs at a meeting in March 2021.

The decision to sell was taken at the council’s 16 December meeting.

An application to rezone and subdivide the land for residential development was accepted by the Department of Transport and Planning as a major project and it qualifies for the state government’s Development Facilitation Program, which fast-tracks residential developments.

The government approved the rezoning to Neighbourhood Residential Zone and endorsed its subdivision in December 2023.

It is now a 51-lot development site, with expected proceeds of as much as $10 million from their sale.

The Shire has established a dedicated Recreational Future Fund in which proceeds from lot sales will be consolidated and used for “community recreational infrastructure”.

Golden Plains mayor Owen Sharkey is encouraging residents to review the selloff plan and make submissions before the closing date.

“This process is being undertaken in line with the Local Government Act 2020 and council’s Sale or Exchange of Council Owned Land Policy and Community Engagement Policy,” he said.

“We are calling for submissions and will be considering them at a future council meeting.”

Submissions can be made by filling out an online form at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations or by completing a written form.

Written submissions should be addressed to Coordinator Economic Development, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, 3331 or emailed to [email protected].

Questions can be directed to the Shire’s economic development team by phoning 5220 7111 or emailing [email protected]