A DECISION to take the build and design of the Organic Waste Recycling Facility into the local councils own hands means a large block of land will be left vacant for longer than expected.
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Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) has decided to try to make some cash in the meantime by leasing the land on Gidley-Appleby Road and another of its properties, The Ranch.
Mayor Col Murray said its a great opportunity for short-term farming operations and for the council to recover some money.
"There's lots of grass out there now, there's lots of demand for stock feed with cattle prices and land prices the way they are," he said.
The council rejected all the tenders for the build and design in July because a question mark hung over which organisation would be responsible for biosecurity risks.
Cr Charles Impey said he was pleased the council may be able to make money from the land.
"There's land sitting there, sadly we look to be six months away from our plans out there so if there's land sitting there with green pastures we may as well look at some uses for it in that time," he said.
The Ranch is at Oxley Lane Westdale, and Cr Glenn Inglis said he would like to see it set up as an agricultural education hub linked with the University of New England.
"UNE has recently launched their STEM_Q program and it's a significant program trying to connect research, industry and investment," he said.
"I think there's enormous potential there and it's something we should be starting to think about, and that's education and research across agribusiness, primary production, technologies for land resource management."
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Cr Phil Betts said he was pleased the land wouldn't be sold.
"History has shown we have sold land and tend sometimes to regret that, there's always future potential and the fact the university presence is coming closer and closer and the opportunities there are paramount to this discussion," he said.
The council will go out for expressions of interest to lease the two properties. The decision was made on Tuesday.
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Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
