PERTH City Council has accepted a $5,000 offer from the East Perth Redevelopment Authority for an 86 square metre strip of land at the southwest corner of Pier and Parry streets in Perth.
This is $15,000 less than council expected to get for the land. In June it had resolved to sell the land to the EPRA for $20,000.
Council had received an independent valuation that the triangular strip left by the widening of Pier Street between Brewer and Parry streets in 1942.
The land has been fenced and enclosed as part of the adjoining property for many years.
The EPRA based its purchase price on advice from the Valuer General who held the view the acquisition of this land added little value to the adjoining property due to the heritage significance of the improvements on that site and the improbability of the redevelopment.
A staff note to council said several attempts were made to negotiate a better outcome over the EPRA’s $5,000 valuation, however, these proved fruitless.
The EPRA has now advised it is prepared to take ownership of the land through adverse possession if council does not take its offer.
A staff note to council said the land was too small to be of any practical use to the city.
“The EPRA is the only other potential user, giving it a strong negotiating advantage,” the note read.
