Clarification on Proposal to Borrow - Loan for Lot 7 Dewar Road, Gingin

Published on Thursday, 14 March 2024 at 8:33:05 AM

Please attribute the following information to Shire President, Cr Wayne Fewster.

We wish to clarify details about the recent public notice regarding the Shire’s proposal to borrow loan funds of $746,293 for the recent purchase of Lot 7 Dewar Road, Gingin.

  • At the September 2023 Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to purchase Lot 7 Dewar Road with the view of securing a large enough parcel in close proximity to the Gingin townsite and Gingin Golf Club for the purpose of a future sporting precinct (forward planning). 
  • Settlement for the purchase of this land occurred on 29 January 2024. 
  • One of Council’s responsibilities is to forward plan for future land use and ensure the strategic nature of such planning fits within this objective. 
  • The current sport and recreation complex in Gingin has, and continues to have, major issues with drainage as well as not being large enough to cater for our growing community. While it is not envisaged the recent purchase of Lot 7 Dewar Road will be needed for this purpose in the short term (within 20 years), the opportunity to secure a large enough parcel of land to cater for future development near Gingin was acted upon for such future planning purposes. 
  • The reason for taking out the loan for the purchase of Lot 7 Dewar Road is to amortise the cost over future generations and not burden current ratepayers. 
  • It should be noted that just as previous generations set aside land for future uses eg, Tonkin and Roe Highways, and Joondalup Arena (which is a similar size in area to Lot 7 Dewar Road), Council too has made the decision to purchase this land as legacy for future generations. 


For further clarification on this proposal, please contact Shire President Cr Wayne Fewster on 0428 754 017 or crfewster@gingin.wa.gov.au, your local elected member, or CEO Aaron Cook on 9575 5100 or mail@gingin.wa.gov.au.

 

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