Council buys prime site

Paul Dunlop
CARDINIA Council has pounced on a premier block of land at the gateway to Pakenham’s Main Street, paying $1 million in a preauction deal.
The 2360 square metre site was due to go under the hammer on Saturday but was bought as a “strategic purchase” that would complement council’s existing interests in the area.
The shire already owns the nearby property known as The Chapel, which is a base for council’s business development and environmental services units.
The latest purchase gives council plenty of room to expand or develop a new hub at the entrance to the business heart of town.
Cardinia manager of governance and communications Doug Evans confirmed the sale yesterday (Tuesday).
The parcel of land bought has frontages to two streets and was said by selling agent Gerard Collins to have “redevelopment options galore”.
Mr Evans said council would develop concept plans for possible future uses.
The $1 million purchase price would come from its current budget, he said.
Mr Evans said council was also looking at a number of other properties around town that represented similar strategic value but could not comment further.
“Any negotiations are obviously confidential at this stage,” he said.
The urban design framework for Pakenham describes the area around the intersection of Main Street, McGregor Road and the Princes Highway as a gateway precinct.
Features in the area include the relocated former Berwick shire office building, currently used as the historical society headquarters as well as Pakenham’s central public artwork Chrysalis.
The urban design framework said preferred uses for the areas were as a public park or a tourism and leisure precinct with development options including an information centre, gallery, restaurant or function rooms.