The council purchased it to enable flood mitigation works to be completed on Russells Creek and the house, on Garden Street, is no longer required after works were completed in the area.

The bulk of the land has been earmarked to be retained by the council and has been earmarked as a public reserve.

The property is adjacent to the Russells Creek walking trail, where a flood wall has been put up.

The Standard is awaiting a response from council about the cost of purchasing the property. 

Cr Tony Herbert said the property had a “coloured history” and had been a contentious site.

He said it was important the council had purchased the property so the flood mitigation works in the area could be done.

“The council isn’t in the function of accumulating properties,” he said.

“They can become a noose around the neck of ratepayers if there is no long-term plan for them, so I think the best option has been to retain the land, manage Russells Creek, do what we need to do for the issues of flooding and go through the process of putting this parcel up for sale.”

Cr Peter Hulin said he was pleased to see the council would “get some of the money back” it had spent on the property.

“Hopefully the dwelling will be sold for a good price for the people of Warrnambool,” he said.

“This issue with 26 Garden Street and getting a walking track through the land and dealing with the flood issues has been going on for over 20 years, so it’s pleasing to finally see a good resolution.” 

A council report said the mitigation works had resulted in the site of the existing residence on the land being behind the mitigation wall as surplus to its need and therefore it could be sold.

The total site area is 8304 square meters, of which the council only requires 5698 square meters to be retained as public open space to enable the management of Russells Creek, the recently completed walking path and the mitigation wall.

The report said a subdivision plan was being prepared to create the public open space area to protect the future of the Russells Creek frontage and surrounds, which incorporated the walking track as well as a lot for the area on which the house and shedding was.