City eyes Medina sheds
The outbuildings behind the Pace Road shops - more commonly known as the Medina Sheds - will remain private land despite attempts by the City of Kwinana to purchase the properties.
City officers attempted to negotiate the purchase of the sheds in a bid to reduce increasing anti-social behaviour at the site, which had become a dumping ground and attracted squatting and drug use.
Originally constructed to provide storage for commercial tenancies that fronted Pace Road, the site was later subdivided into land parcels with some walls owned by different landowners to the adjoining sheds.
While some landowners were keen to resolve antisocial issues through the sale and redevelopment of the site, one landowner indicated they did not wish to sell. According to a City report all 12 landowners would need to agree in order for City to demolish the structure and redevelop the site.
At last nights ordinary council meeting the officer recommendation was that council not proceed with the purchase of any of the properties given one landowners position which prevented the sites redevelopment, and to meet with the members of the Medina Activation Group and Medina Residents Association to explain the decision and discuss opportunities to work towards other community projects.
Councillor Merv Kearney said the site remained an “absolute disgrace”, despite Medina residents’ best efforts to try and keep the area clean and presentable.
“The Medina residents are the ones cleaning up, not the owners,” he said.
“It’s an eyesore and it’s dangerous. “We should be able to say enough is enough.”
Councillor Matthew Rowse moved the officers recommendation but also proposed two amendments that council directed the chief executive to seek legal advice to determine if the City can implement compulsory acquisition of the sheds, and that the City discussed the sale of the sheds with the landowners on an annual basis.
The amended recommendation was carried 8 nil.
The City could not disclose which landowner refused to sell.
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