Council last night voted in favour of beginning the process to sell a second parcel of land at Connections Park in Corio.
The 2,560 square metre (approximate) narrow strip of reserve land connects two other land parcels, the former Connections Park East and Connections Park West, off McHarry Court in Corio.
The former Rosewall Primary School, which adjoins the narrow strip of land, has recently been sold, with the purchaser intending to develop it for housing.
The connecting piece of land, which on its own does not meet current urban design guidelines for public open space, could be incorporated into this residential development.
Selling the land would improve visibility and passive surveillance of the area and reduce the risk of the connecting land becoming an unsafe corridor between high residential fences.
Reinvesting the sales income to purchase or improve other public open space in the nearby area will align with Council's adopted Social Infrastructure Plan 2021-2023.
The sale of the connecting land will also allow for creating road access to the land of the former Connections Park East and maintain pedestrian connection for the surrounding neighbourhood.
An initial period of community engagement was carried out about the proposed sale in September and October 2022.
Keep an eye out on the City's Have Your Say page for upcoming engagements on Connections Park West.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
The sale of the land has been carefully considered, and the property will be sold at an agreed value with proceeds from the sale providing a positive financial benefit to the community.
The income earned from the property sale could be used to reinvest in purchasing or improving other public open spaces in the nearby area.
Council has authorised the sale of the land to the adjoining property owner subject to conditions including maintaining current pedestrian access points and a relocated east-west shared path.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken
Rosewall as an area is going through significant investment renewal.
It is being transformed for a new generation of residents in the northern suburbs and so it makes sense for us to sell this piece of land to invest in other facilities that we have identified as a higher priority for the community.
As part of the sale, it is important we undertake another period of engagement with the community to hear how they would like to see the other piece of land - Connections Park West - used in the future.
