The 758 sqm vacant block on Lakes Way was once the home of 80-year-old John Richard Fischer, until a gas leak reduced his home to a pile of rubble in June 2013. 

The explosion which killed Mr Fischer also damaged nearby homes and contaminated the area with asbestos.

John Dougherty, council’s property and building assets manager, said that Great Lakes Council paid for the clean up due to a lack of funds in the deceased’s estate.  The vacant, remediated site has been up for sale for $149 000 ever since. 

A confidential extraordinary meeting was held last Tuesday February 10 to vote on whether or not Council should acquire the land, as the substantial clean up costs incurred by Council reduced the price of the property substantially. A resolution was passed to acquire the property based on the valuer general’s market price minus the costs due back to Council. 

Mr Dougherty said that council have yet to decide what they will do with the block.