By Alesha Capone
GAINING some new land without paying a cent for it seems too good to be true, but the feat has been accomplished by Wyndham City Council and a Manor Lakes school.
At last week’s council meeting, councillors voted in favour of a “land swap” with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
A parcel of council-owned land in Manor Lakes Boulevard, Wyndham Vale, will be swapped with the department.
In return, some council land will be given to the Manor Lakes P-12 College School.
“The land transfer will allow council to finalise the construction of the new Wyndham Vale Community Centre and a second oval,” the council agenda said.
In addition, Manor Lakes P-12 College School plans to build car parking on their new land, at the former council reserve.
“The discussions involved a land swap that would involve a direct exchange of land of equal areas and that no transfers of money or any other consideration is included,” the council agenda said.
Wyndham councillor Cynthia Manson hailed the land deal as “a first for the area.”
“It’s just amazing to me. We’ve been able to work so well with schools in Wyndham to provide such excellent facilities,” she said.
The council will engage lawyers to prepare legal documents required for the land exchange and estimated the approximate cost of this would be around $2000.
