Review the ongoing controversy over public land sales and private development - Petitions (Invalid)
Petition details
Given that recent proposed developments of public land comprise of Common Good assets, green space including green belt, nature reserve, playing fields etc, this petition calls for an internal and/or independent review in order to protect public assets, support local democracy and safeguard the World Heritage status of The City.
Specifically in the case of the Caltongate development, the recommendation by City Development of 22nd December 2011 to dispose of Council assets to Artisan Real Estates Investors without 'further consultation on issues raised by the community' (as recommended in Amendment1, or consideration for the implications of sale as recommended in Amendment 2) appears an ill advised and rushed decision in favour of an off market offer from a developer whose intentions were still undisclosed. Doubt is cast over 'best value' where (under section 3.9 (iii) of the Waverley Valley Regeneration – Caltongate report):
“The arches will be sold... on a peppercorn rent” and at section 3.13 “the Council will be relying upon Artisan's own commercial desire to do so”).
The decision to sell is based on the benefits of the former Mountgrange development (under paragraph 2.5) which the Council withdrew from in 2010 because “the consented development did not stack up financially”. Without an open tender process where alternative proposals could be considered benefits remain untested.
Petition status
Invalid in terms of 1.3 and 1.4 of our petitions criteria as it relates to: a decision of the Council or a committee within the previous six month period and a matter that is commercially sensitive, confidential or could cause personal distress or loss.
