SOME "lazy land" being sold in the Rockdale town centre is likely to help pay off the city's new library and swimming pool.
The land, near Rockdale RSL Club, is bounded by Bay Street, Chapel Street and Lister Avenue.
It consists of three council car parks and five residences, adding up to about 7700 square metres.
It comes with a development potential for 357 units plus 3000 square metres of retail space with height limits between 14.5 and 28 metres.
Rockdale Council is reviewing expressions of interest from developers.
Rockdale mayor Shane O'Brien said the land was purchased in the 1990s for a new library and has been sitting there doing not very much since then — apart from providing public car parking.
He said that when the council decided to embark on major development projects — such as the aquatic centre in Bexley, the library and youth centre — it was decided to review some of the "lazy land" in the council's possession and unlock its cash value.
"We are not selling at any price," Cr O'Brien said.
"We've had independent valuations and know what is viable. The expressions of interest have met and exceeded our expectations."
Cr O'Brien said the sale, apart from underpinning the library and pool, would determine other work including a multi-deck car park in York Street behind the town hall.
He said the 148 car spots in Chapel Street and the 87 in York Street would be replaced with 360 spots in the multi-level car park in York Street and the chosen developer would be obliged to provide 40 in the Chapel Street area.
He said a housing development on the site was in line with the Rockdale town centre master plan as it was close to public transport and it would reshape the city centre and help meet housing targets imposed by the state government.
"It will help us start the process of redesigning the town centre to encourage more vibrant living," Cr O'Brien said.
But regardless of who ended up buying the land, any future development proposal would require the submission of a development application (DA) that would include a mandatory public notification period.
"Essentially, any future owner will need to lodge a DA and once lodged, community consultation must occur," Cr O'Brien said.
SUPPORT
Rockdale Chamber of Commerce president Allan Wight said the chamber had been involved in the consultation process and was fully supportive of the sale of the land and its role in the town centre master plan and the subsequent parking provisions.
But Mr Wight urged vigilance.
He said it was important that residents and businesses paid close attention to the planning stages of the development and let their views be known to council.
‘‘From the chamber point of view, it’s all in the detail,’’ Mr Wight said.
The sale was not expected to affect Rockdale RSL as it has its own car park.
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