Council working with State Govt to change legislation

Cobar Shire Council is working with the State Government to change legislation that pertains to the old Cobar Hospital site.

Council recently entered into an agreement with the State Government to purchase the now vacant land where the old Cobar Hospital and Cobar Community Health Centre were located on Lerida Road (adjacent to the new Cobar Health Service) with the view of developing it into a new housing estate.

Council’s general manager Peter Vlatko told councillors at last week’s Ordinary Council Meeting that a problem had arisen during the sale process.

He said it was found that the land had a special title on it.

“A long time ago it had been gifted to the Cobar people to build a hospital on,” Mr Vlatko said.

He advised councillors that it wasn’t a matter of re-zoning the land. He said a change to the Government Act would be needed to permit a change of use of the land.

Mr Vlatko said if the land was to be subdivided and sold on, there could be a problem for buyers when they go to build a home.

He advised councillors that council staff and their lawyers were working with the State Government to resolve the matter.

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