Donnybrook council backs land buy to open up housing lots

The Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup has moved to secure a small, but strategically important parcel of land which could unlock future housing development in Donnybrook.

The council voted unanimously at its June 24 meeting to buy lot 351 Victoria Parade, Donnybrook, for $10,000, with a further $5000 set aside for conveyancing and $25,000 for preliminary concept design work for a proposed Victoria Park extension.

The land is considered critical because it provides the only practical and legal access to 33 undeveloped residential lots east of Victoria Parade.

The block had been listed as part of a three-lot package for $150,000, but chief executive Nick O’Connor negotiated an agreement for the shire to only purchase lot 351.

Cr Tyler Hall said the proposal had been workshopped at length.

“I think this is a really great item to come forward, it shows our council and our shire administration are looking at opportunities,” he said.

“The acquisition of this particular block of land is going to be a real benefit to housing growth and new people moving to our area.”

The council report said the shire’s housing needs analysis identified a significant shortfall in residential land supply, including the need for 435 additional dwellings by 2031.

Servicing and access constraints were listed as major barrier to unlocking new supply.

The report described the purchase as the first step in addressing those barriers and placing the shire in a stronger position to apply for State and Federal housing-enabling infrastructure funding.

Funds will come from the strategic projects reserve, using proceeds from the sale of surplus shire-owned assets, including Reserve Street land and the Bendigo Bank Building.

Deputy shire president Alex Purich said he applauded the administration for its foresight.

“Subdivision from 1900 zoned residential is a great opportunity, opening up more land and with the recent funds coming into the strategic reserves its great to see that money being used for such a positive project,” he said.