New Land Transaction Policy goes on exhibition

Council land

A Land Transaction Policy which will replace those of the former Gosford and Wyong Councils is about to go on public exhibition.

A chief tenet of the policy is to minimise Council’s exposure to unnecessary risk in land sales, acquisitions, restrictions over Council’s land, land swaps, dedications and donations of land.

“As such, this policy will assist in Council’s risk management in relation to land transactions,” a report to councillors at their July 13 meeting explained.

Other old policies were reviewed and incorporated into the new policy.

One was the Acceptance of Care, Control & Management of Public lands acquired by other Authorities.

This was a policy of the former Gosford Council and detailed the circumstances under which Council would accept care, control and management of land for public purposes.

Staff said this had been addressed within the new draft policy.

Another former Gosford policy, the Easements/Leases/Licences-Utilities, Authorities and Companies policy, which was used to assess the payment of compensation for easements granted to utilities, authorities and companies, has also been incorporated into the new policy.

A third policy, the Citywide Business Improvement Districts policy from the former Gosford Council, which was established in order to collect and redistribute levies to suitable businesses, was no longer required.

Councillors were told that the fund associated with the levies has since been expended and businesses were supported through other Council mechanisms.

Councillors were asked for feedback and given advance copies of the draft policy and relevant attachments on June 19, but no feedback was received, the staff said.

The policy’s objectives are to ensure Council sells, retains or acquires ownership of land that is needed for its current and future service delivery; that the land portfolio is managed strategically; and that land transactions include appropriate consultation with relevant stakeholders and are undertaken in accordance with applicable laws.

The draft will be on public exhibition for comment for 28 days.

Merilyn Vale