Politics & Council
25 February, 2024
Land fracas: residents oppose council sale plan
BATTLELINES have em-erged as Loddon Shire looks to sell community land gifted by the Anglican Church more than 50 years ago. Wedderburn residents say sale plans are a repeat of aborted moves by the council in 2018. They say the land on the corner of...
BATTLELINES have em-erged as Loddon Shire looks to sell community land gifted by the Anglican Church more than 50 years ago.
Wedderburn residents say sale plans are a repeat of aborted moves by the council in 2018.
They say the land on the corner of Ridge and Kerr Streets has 20 potential habitat-rearing hollows.
Peter Goegan and Allison Hargreaves led an impromptu protest on the corner block last Friday.
“One tree is at least 300 years old ... this is the site of the original bark school and church used until the new church was built with rocks from Berrimul in 1866,” Mr Goegan said.
Residents want the land to stay in council hands and commissioned a report by ecologist Paul Foreman.
“That report says it would be possible to significantly restore the condition of this important patch of remnant vegetation,” Mr Goegan said.
“Paul also says the vegetation present has conservation value and could be improved/restored with appropriate management including weed control and understorey species reintroductions, provided it is retained as a public open space reserve.”
Mrs Hargreaves said the Anglican Diocese had gifted the land to the then Shire of Korong, claiming it was to be used by the community and never be built or subdivided.
“To sell the land would be a breach of trust and of the original agreement,” she said.
Mrs Hargreaves said residents had objected to sale plans six years ago and would again voice opposition to council’s latest proposal.
Loddon Shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald said there is no limitation on the title that had restricted sale after being transferred from the Anglican Diocese.
“Council will receive submissions regarding the sale of this property as advertised and consider all feedback received before any decision is made,” he said. Mr Fitzgerald said council had not rescinded its 2018 decision to dispose of the land.
Mr Goegan and Mrs Hargreaves said residents were now lodging their objections with council.