Council resolved at the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 12 December 2022 to consider the sale of the currently underutilised asset at 4 George Street Somerset and proceed with advertising an intention to sell to inform the decision.
Council is required to make decisions in the best interests of the community regarding the appropriate allocation of resources. As community needs change over time, it makes sense for Council to consider those changing needs and ensure that its investment in assets is provided in an economical way and results in value for money for the community. Holding assets that are surplus to Council’s needs incur costs in terms of lost opportunity.
Council owns 4 George Street, Somerset. The property zoned General Residential has historically been utilised as a play centre for children. The land size is 827m2.
The property has minimal utilisation with the Centre only having been accessed in recent years sporadically by a handful of families.
The property is dated and requires significant investment to bring to modern day standards.
The land can provide benefit to the community through private ownership with the potential for rates and charges income from any development and the reduction on ongoing holding costs of approximately $16k per annum.
Under Section 178 of the Local Government Act 1993 a notice must be published, and 21 days allowed for objections to be received. This process has commenced with a notice published in The Advocate on 17 December 2022 & 31 December 2022 along with a copy of the notice placed at 4 George Street. A formal decision to sell the property will be considered by Council after the consultation period.