GREAT Lakes Council will move to acquire land in Forster’s central business district adjacent to the Visitor Information Centre and old School of Arts Hall site, in order to facilitate plans for the civic precinct project.
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At their ordinary meeting on Tuesday May 27, council resolved that the property of approximately 1.2 hectares on West Street, known as the old school site, be purchased from a private landholder.
“This purchase is a sound economic decision for council and will allow us, together with our community, more scope when we are considering the options for the civic precinct project,” council’s acting general manager, Steve Embry said.
Great Lakes Mayor Jan McWilliams said it is a very exciting move for the community.
“It will bring us a step closer to delivering a state-of-the-art library, flexible hall space and community meeting rooms at the civic precinct site.”
The acquisition will be funded from council’s Future Land Development Reserve, which includes funds from previous land sales and income from the Tuncurry Woolworths investment.
“Council’s sound asset and financial management has allowed us to now take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that prime land in Forster’s central area can be used for the benefit of all residents,” Mr Embry said.
For now, council will proceed to investigate the best and most appropriate options for the development of the site.
Currently council has funds to proceed with a development application for the site, but construction of facilities remains unfunded at this point in time.
