Clarence City Council reaffirmed its decision of 23 January 2023 to request the Chief Executive Officer to initiate the buy-back of the Kangaroo Bay Wharf Site at its meeting tonight, paving the way for the site to be returned to public hands.
The council meeting tonight was the last opportunity to consider a different path forward for the project prior to the expiry of the buy-back clause in the current Sale and Development Agreement (SDA) with Chambroad on 12 April 2023.
During debate at the meeting Council deemed that Chambroad had received ample time and a number of extensions to proceed with the development, and that the time was up.
Clarence City Council Mayor Brendan Blomeley said the development of Kangaroo Bay was a project of strategic importance for the City and while it was disappointing it would lie empty for a while longer, Council wasn’t prepared to keep giving Chambroad more time.
“We are acutely aware of the time invested in this project to date, but that does not mean we should rush to a decision and commit to the option in front of us just because it’s the only one on the table,” Mayor Blomeley said.
“Chambroad has had sufficient time to get this development out of the ground and it is disappointing they have fallen short, given the previous extensions that Council has provided.”
“Given this, Council has decided it is not prepared to provide them another extension. It’s long past time for them to step away, and for us to step in and execute the buy-back clause.”
The Wharf Site at Kangaroo Bay will now be considered formally as part of the City Heart Project, consultation on which is currently underway.
The live streamed council meeting can be viewed here.