THE plan by Singleton Heights Pre-school to own its site moved a step closer with Singleton Council resolving to support their proposal for land rezoning.
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Council supported a request from Orbit Planning on behalf of Singleton Heights Community Pre-school to reclassify the site on Dorsman Drive, Singleton Heights, from “Community” land to “Operational” land.
Singleton Heights Pre-school director Neisha Deans said it was the first step in a long process to purchase the land the pre-school occupies.
“We are a not-for-profit community based pre-school and we would love to have control and ownership of our site,” she told The Argus.
“And, we have been madly fundraising to achieve this for many years.”
The purchase price for the 4,109 square metre parcel of land has been set by council at $61,635.
But, before the title deeds can change hands, there is a lengthy process of rezoning the land.
The land was originally purchased by council in 1972 to allow for the extension of the Alroy Estate residential subdivision of which council was the developer.
The remaining land was later classified as community land when that subdivision was completed.
Singleton Heights Pre-school, which currently enrols 60 students, was established in 1985.
It owns the building and pays all costs associated with operations and maintenance of the site.
The pre-school currently has a 21-year lease on the land, expiring on November 30, 2033, and pays $2075 per annum.
The proceeds from the sale of the land would likely be used to upgrade other public open space and recreation facilities identified in the Singleton Open Space and Recreation Needs Study (November 2013).
Mrs Deans said the recent resolution in council was great news for the pre-school.
“We are very excited about having full control over our future and continuing our community-based service for many years to come,” she said.