Compulsory

COUNCILLORS have moved to begin compulsory acquisition of a small parcel of land at Beaconsfield’s Central Hotel – after the landowner demanded a price tag in the vicinity of $8 million per hectare.
Civic leaders say the land is necessary to create access to a new Safeway supermarket in Beaconsfield but aren’t willing to pay $210,000 for the 226 square metre piece of land.
Cardinia Shire councillor Brett Owen said the council believed the land was worth $12,000 and had no other option but to commence compulsory acquisition after negotiations between the two parties had failed.
“If access is not achieved it will create a massive traffic jam,” he said.
“It’s a must and unfortunately we’ve done everything we can without taking this path.”
Fellow Central Ward councillor George Blenkhorn said it was essential that motorists could access the supermarket from Beaconsfield-Emerald Road.
He said the landowner’s asking price was excessive.
“It works out to $8 million a hectare … a bit over the top, methinks.”
Central Ward councillor Collin Ross said the landowner’s actions were unacceptable.
“It’s extremely disappointing for the net good of the community that the landowner thinks the council is a soft touch,” he said.
“They forget that at the end of the day it’s the ratepayer who has to pay the extra money.”
The landowner is yet to respond to inquiries from the Gazette about the matter.