The Northern Grampians Shire Council has moved a motion of urgent business at their August meeting, with details of the agreement between the Council and developers Passive Place discussed.
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Cr Lauren Dempsey moved the motion which resolves the land be sold to Passive Place for nominal consideration on the basis that Passive Place will enter an agreement pursuant to section 173 planning and environment act 1987 with Council.
This agreement restricts the manner in which Passive Place can use and develop the land, including that any development contracted must be an innovative and environmental sustainable housing development offering a diverse housing mix and which satisfies agreed minimum requirements.
The motion also stated if use and development of the land are not consistent with the agreed terms then Council can require Passive Place to retransfer to council at the cost of the developer and for nominal consideration.
This applicable to the whole of the land or part which is not used or developed in accordance with those restrictions.
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The motion was seconded by Cr Kevin Erwin and accepted by Council.
Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Murray Emerson said the agreement will protect the Council from any issues that may arise.
"It was very long motion and one that may be difficult for us to understand, but what it really means is that are prepared to sell the land to the developer, but if something goes wrong then the land has to go back to the Council," he said.
"It takes away some of the risk of things going pear-shaped if the developer doesn't deliver, and that is it in a nutshell.
"We are desperate for housing and this will be a great step for us as we try to satisfy some of that housing need."
Cr Erwin said he was hoping this agreement would enable the development to continue on.
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"This is the finalisation of the contract, so we can provide sale of the land to Passive Place for the Sloane Street redevelopment to continue the process moving forward of developing that land," he said.
"It is vital to our town and community in terms of housing development, which is something everyone has noted is of great need.
"We desperately need more housing in our area and this will continue with the process of moving things forward.
"It can be a slow-moving beast, but that is out of our control, we just have to minimise the risk to Council and to the community."
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