Aus council’s plan to sell $750k of land for $1

An Aussie council has proposed to sell off a $750,000 piece of prime real estate for a single dollar in a move that has outraged local residents.

The Belligen Shire Council, on NSW’s North Coast says it is planning to sell land valued at around $750k to a non-profit to build afford affordable homes. But ratepayers hit by exorbitant hikes in council fees have been left unhappy at the move.

“Council is proposing to provide financial assistance to Waterfall Way Community Land Trust by transferring Council-owned land at Ferry Street, Urunga, with an independently assessed market value of $750,000, for a sale price of $1,” the Belligen Shire Council said in a statement posted to its social media channels.

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An Aussie council is planning to sell land on the cheap.

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“The proposed assistance supports Council’s adopted strategic goal to support Waterfall Way Community Land Trust in exploring alternative pathways for moderate-to-middle income households to access secure home ownership through a community land trust model.”

The Council, which is reported to be in over $2.5m of debt and has raised rates by almost as much as a third over the past few years, has invited public submissions on the proposal.

“While public notice is not required in this instance, Council has chosen to publicly exhibit the proposed financial assistance to ensure transparency and provide the community with an opportunity to comment.”

Belligen locals have been hit with huge council rate hikes in recent years.

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And judging by the response on its social media channels, the Council, which has also been considering the ‘ongoing impacts of colonisation” as part of its ‘Modern Slavery Policy’, which has received just two submissions, should be readying itself for some fiery feedback.

“I’ll give you $10 for it,” wrote one person.

“Will our rates increase … AGAIN?” another wrote.

“Who value it at that,” said a third commenter.

Urunga is about 250km south of Byron Bay on the NSW North Coast

Submissions to the proposal close on July 29.

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