The call has come from Chamber President Matthew Wales in response to Council’s financial disaster crash sale of unused assets.
“The Chamber also believes that Council should be further reviewing its current land holdings including dozens of vacant residential allotments on the Peninsula with the view to selling off those properties that are surplus to Council’s needs”, Mr Wales said.
“There are numerous vacant parcels that have never been adequately maintained by the Council. The sale of these properties could raise millions of dollars towards offsetting Council’s operating losses as opposed to increasing rates.
“While reserves should be protected, other surplus land should be sold off which will not only raise valuable revenue but also reduce the Council’s overall maintenance obligations”, Mr Wales said.
“Council already has a disproportionate maintenance responsibly for its massive public recreation holdings without the need to maintain surplus land that currently serves no real public benefit.”
The Chamber represents more than 1200 businesses on the Peninsula and they will be hardest hit by the planned massive rate rise of up to 15%.
The Chamber has written to the Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock to express its “major concern” of Council’s dire financial crisis.
In his letter Mr Wales thanked Miss Hancock for stepping in and appointing the Administrator Dick Persson.
He said the scale of the losses of $560M were “breathtaking” and “beyond belief”.
“However of equal concern is the unlawful and unauthorized use of Restricted Funds which in itself, raises serious issues about the propriety of Council.”
