Davistown Wetlands: Central Coast Council to vote on making an offer to purchase the site
It was listed for sale in October 2017 and remains on the market. Now council will decide on whether to continue its pursuit for Davistown Wetlands or back away completely.
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Central Coast Council is set to vote on whether to continue its pursuit to buy Davistown Wetlands.
The ongoing saga is coming to Monday’s extraordinary council meeting in Wyong, with councillors to vote for one of three options.
The recommended option is to negotiate purchase of the land based on a market value of $670,000, while the other options include backing out or waiting until it is taken off the market before trying to compulsorily acquire the land.
The report prepared by planning staff states the council made an offer on the land in July 2019, based on the market valution, however was told the owner would seek their own valuation. They have not had a response since.
Selling agent Larry Altivilla told the Express Advocate that a formal offer for the land from council had not been received. He also said the land was under offer from a group of Sydney buyers who were investigating options for the site before finalising the sale.
In November 2019 the council voted to obtain a second valuation which came back as $600,000.
“It should also be noted that the properties were identified by council officers, in consultation
with councillors, to be included as potential National Park sites,” the council report states.
The site is still listed for sale under the name Tidal Shoals, described as having “endless potential development opportunities” with calls for expressions of interest.
Locals are keen to see the land end up in council hands for environmental protection, submitting a petition for council to buy the land with more than 1200 signatures.
When the council voted on the second valuation, Mayor Lisa Matthews said while the owner should get a fair price, “council should not be held to ransom to pay a premium”.
The saga of Davistown Wetlands has been ongoing since October 2017 when the blocks were listed for sale under the name Tidal Shoals with a sales campaign and a price tag of more than $120 million.
The property went to auction but was passed in after a single “lowball” bid of $7m.
The site includes six parcels of land in Lillipilli St, Pine Ave, Kincumber Cres and Malinya Rd.