Engagement survey for Healseville Green in progress

A busy Healesville Green on market day. PICTURE ON FILE

Community members have been asked to weigh in in an engagement survey for the potential purchase of 13 Green Street, Healesville after an offer was made by VicTrack.

Residents were surveyed in 2017 about the potential purchase of some excess VicTrack land at 13 Green Street.

Currently the area is being used for the monthly Healesville Market.

Initially, residents had a positive response to the survey, however the initial price indicated was increased from $600,000 to $1.185m.

At this point the council withdrew interest due to the cost but enquired after a lower price for the land or for it to be gifted.

Recently, Ryrie Ward Councillor, Fiona McAllister has stated that the land is now being offered at discount to the council.

“In January, the Valuer-General valued this land at $1.35m – VicTrack have indicated that they would sell the land to council at half this cost, $675,000, if we keep the land as public open space,” she said.

Cr McAllister urges people to contribute to the survey.

“This is a chance for us to secure a piece of open space that the Healesville community has used and cherished for decades. But before we make any decisions, we want to see what our community members think,” she said.

The community survey opened on Monday 20 February and submissions close on Sunday 19 March.

Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts in the survey before submissions close, on the council website.