Councillors tonight (November 2) determine whether MidCoast Council will purchase the former Masters Home Improvement Site at Taree South.
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A confidential late report regarding the land acquisition will go to the extraordinary meeting held in Taree at 6pm.
The land acquisition report was prepared by the manager of Property and Commercial Services John Dougherty.
It deals with the potential acquisition of the former Masters Home Improvement Site, located at the corner of Manning River Drive and Biripi Way.
The site comprises an area of about 3.7 hectares consisting of a high clearance warehouse facility (9910 square metres) with polished concrete floors, fully air conditioned (Fusion system) and 281 on grade car parking spaces and associated infrastructure.
The November 2 extraordinary meeting sees councillors firstly consider a development application for a Manufactured Homes Estate at Tallwoods, before the meeting is closed to the public to discuss business relating to the land acquisition report.
This report is confidential in accordance with Section 10A(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993, which permits the meeting to be closed to the public because it is determined that if information was disclosed it would give a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business.
It was considered it would be contrary to the public interest for the matter to be discussed in an open meeting because the disclosure of information such as valuation ranges and negotiated prices prior to acceptance may disadvantage council in ensuring that only a reasonable price is paid for land and that ratepayers are not impacted by council having to pay a premium.
The Taree South site has remained empty since the closure of Masters in December 2016.
The extraordinary meeting was called to consider a report on a development application seeking consent to establish a Manufactured Homes Estate at Tallwoods, Hallidays Point.
Council, at its ordinary meeting of September 27, deferred the matter so there could be a site inspection by councillors and that councillors would have an information session with the public.