Despite an officer recommendation to approve the sale of the land on the corner of Brentham and Britannia roads at the council meeting on October 27, councillors voted not to approve the sale until the City had investigated other uses for the site.
The item came to council after administration received a letter from a resident living adjacent to the 201m2 vacant lot indicating an interest in purchasing the land.
It is an irregular, long corner site zoned Residential R30 and according to a council report has a market value of $200,000.
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READ NOWCr Dan Loden said he had driven past the site and thought it could be used for a community garden or seating.
“It’s not a particularly attractive spot but we could be using that space for something else,” Cr Loden said.
Cr Emma Cole said the other options for the verge had not been properly explored before the report came before council.
“This verge does have potential for other uses,” she said.
“I just don’t feel comfortable putting it up for sale in this manner without further investigation.”
Cr Roslyn Harley said she would like to see a broader strategy developed by the City to guide the future use or disposal of council-owned land.