Subdivision of surplus land costs council $179,000

A new five-section subdivision in Twizel’s Glen Lyon Rd will cost the Mackenzie District Council $179,000 to get on the market.

Councillors unanimously voted, in a meeting in the town on Tuesday, to spend the money to ‘‘strike while the iron is hot’’ in the Mackenzie property market.

The sections, which cover an 8.5 hectare area north-west of Twizel Holiday Park near the town’s water supply, are already being advertised for sale by Bayleys.

If sold, the five sections were expected to generate $700,000.

The council did not need the land anymore and public consultation on the subdivision hadn’t drawn complaints, finance and administration manager Paul Morris said.

Parts of the subdivision were covered in wilding trees, but the council would not pay to remove them. The $179,000 would be spent on installing amenities.

Mayor Claire Barlow told the meeting properties were now selling at a premium in Mackenzie and she thought delaying the sale would be unwise.

‘‘We should strike while the iron is hot.’’

Councillor Russell Armstrong said he had received some feedback questioning why Bayleys had been given the contract to sell the subdivision when they did not pay rates on an office in Twizel.

Councillor Graham Smith said there were a number of sections for sale in Twizel which could dilute the potential buyers, but the important thing was to get the land on the market.

‘‘The sooner we get this sold the better.’’