Queenscliffe’s prize
Council prepares to subdivide huge waterfront block
QUEENSCLIFFE council has confirmed it is preparing an application to subdivide a patch of prime land that could become a major cash cow for the small borough.
A council spokeswoman this week said the borough had resolved to prepare a planning permit application to subdivide 70,000sq m of vacant land at the corner of Murray and Fellows roads into two lots.
With land in Queenscliff selling for up to $1000 per square metre, the patch of land — much of which commands picturesque views over the Swan Bay saltmarsh — could be worth as much as $70 million.
Borough of Queenscliffe spokeswoman Lynne Lowery confirmed the council was moving towards subdividing the land, but was not selling it.
“Council has not yet formally considered the sale of land at Murray Rd,” Ms Lowery said.
“At this stage the land has not been valued for the purposes of a sale.
“Should council resolve to consider sale, the Local Government Act requires a public notification process be undertaken and submissions considered before a final decision to sell is made.”
Ms Lowery said a large part of the site included high value saltmarsh vegetation, and was low lying and subject to flooding, presenting challenges to potential future development.
RT Edgar Bellarine real estate agent Felix Hakins said the land was a “very good asset” in an exclusive little pocket of Queenscliff.
“It will be interesting to see what the outcome will be,” Mr Hakins said.
The possible subdivision comes as the council has applied for a rates rise of double the State Government imposed rates cap of 2 per cent.
The council — which oversees a population of about 3000 — is seeking to raise rates by 4.5 per cent in the next financial year.
Ms Lowery said it would be inappropriate for the council to factor income from land sales into long-term plans.