A list of Council-owned properties identified as suitable for potential sale will be considered at the Council meeting next week as an update to its Land Sales Strategy.
At its meeting of 29 January 2024, Council considered options for financial sustainability, including a report detailing a strategy of property sales.
Council had previously resolved to investigate all its land portfolio with the view of identifying land that could be sold immediately, which is outlined in the report as well as those to be further investigated for potential sale or maintained for future strategic land use.
“The property review has been initially completed to identify land that is considered in excess of our needs as a way to provide some cash injection to our current budget,” said CEO Robyn Stevens.
“Council has a large portfolio of properties and this is an opportunity to access some funds, as well as reduce costs associated with the maintenance, and upkeep of these sites,” Ms Stevens said.
Council is currently responsible for managing more than 3,100 lots across the Shoalhaven region, of which 1,700 are classified as operational land. Operational land is able to be sold and community land would require reclassification to be sold at any time in the future.
The report to Council includes nine properties of land (classified as operational) to be considered for immediate sale in Shoalhaven Heads, Sanctuary Point, Callala Bay, Bangalee, Mundamia, Nowra, Ulladulla, Bomaderry and Culburra Beach.
It also outlines 15 properties to be further investigated and potentially rezoned or reclassified to enable sale.
All properties identified for sale, under investigation or as strategic lands will be available to view via an interactive map on Council’s website and residents can provide feedback that will be considered as part of the deliberation of Council.
Land valuations will be done by professional property valuers and property sales will be managed by independent real estate agents who will engage in a competitive sales campaign to ensure the best sale price.
The Council meeting will be held on Monday 8 April and the Land Sales Strategy report can be viewed on the website.
