TEN state government owned sites in Greater Bendigo could soon go under the hammer, as the Department of Treasury and Finance prepares land to sell.
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Sites being prepared for sale include several disused schools, the former Drummartin Primary School, former Golden Square Secondary School and two sites of the former North Bendigo Primary School.
The Department of Treasury and Finance is getting a total of 20.607 hectares ready for sale in Bendigo, part of 2542 hectares of land listed for sale across the state.
Some sites have been in the process of being prepared for sale for several years.
Weeroona College Plantation in Junortoun is also being prepared for sale.
The former Golden Square Secondary School on Hattam Street is the largest site in Bendigo being prepared for sale, at 5.578 hectares.
The former Department of Health and Human Services Aged Care home falls second, at 4.7578 hectares.
Several of the schools listed in Bendigo have closed in recent years.
The Drummartin Primary School held its final school day in October, 2015. It marked the end of 141 years for the school, which had just six pupils when it closed. The school sits about 40 minutes north of Bendigo, between Dingee and Elmore.
The former Golden Square Primary School has spent nearly four years being progressed to public sale, after it was closed in 2015. Students moved to a new site on Maple Street, after merging with the Maple Street Primary School.
A government spokesperson said the number of properties being prepared for sale, and on the market, was consistent with figures over the previous 20 years.
Agricultural properties in Robinvale and a former research station in Mildura make up about 2300 hectares of the total 2542 hectares being prepared for sale.
The Department of Treasury and Finance lists 152 properties for sale, or as being prepared for future sale.
All government departments and agencies are required to review the land they own every year, to determine whether it is surplus to their needs when delivering current or future services.
The land is offered for sale to all other Victorian Government departments and agencies and to local government before it is put up for public sale.
Proceeds from the sale are spent on new infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals and public transport, according to the Department of Treasury and Finance website.
Members of the public interested in buying land listed for sale can contact the appointed real estate agents. For land being prepared for sale prospective buyers must contact the department.
A full list of the land being prepared for sale is available at: bit.ly/2ovJvlt
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Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
