A GROUP of city fringe residents is calling on Brisbane City Council to halt the sale of green space in their street.
The 29 Bourne St, Woolloongabba, land will be sold at auction tomorrow.
But neighbour Amanda Lowe who, in 2012, put in an “Expression of Interest” to buy the land with her neighbours, said it was meant to be offered to them first.
She said the first they knew of the auction was after walking past the sign on the property on April 30.
The neighbours started a petition to hold the sale, but feared it was too late.
“We were told the land was landlocked and that if it was to be sold, we would get a chance to put in an offer,” Mrs Lowe said.
“We’re worried that a developer will buy it and build high-rise apartments. There isn’t much green space or parks nearby, so we would like to see it stay as that and so would the children.” Mrs Lowe said the short notice and lack of consultation pushed them out of the auction.
Councillor Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) backed the residents’ calls to keep the land as green space and said the council did not consult him on the sale.
“I was kind of surprised that as the local councillor, I wasn’t informed or consulted,” he said.
A council spokesman said “any interested parties will have the chance to purchase the land when it is auctioned”.
THE LAND
■ In 2012, residents spoke to BCC about the 397 sqm parcel of land and put in an “Expression of Interest” to be notified if it was for sale
■ Residents first saw an auction sign on the land on April 30 and immediately started a petition to halt the auction
■ The council is proceeding to sell the land at auction on Friday, May 19, at 10.30am
Originally Published: http://www.couriermail.com.au