Despite little progress on the lifestyle village proposed for Old Mooliabeenee Rd over the years the Shire of Gingin recently agreed to temporarily change one of its approval conditions.
When the shire sold the land for $195,000 in 2017 the conditions included a caveat on the land title.
In May councillors – following an officer’s recommendation – agreed to remove that absolute caveat – temporarily – so the landowner can mortgage the land.
Stage 1 civil works for the project were originally expected to be finished in 2019 but even in 2024 the roads are still unsealed.
An officer’s report said if the caveat remained the landowner would be unable to obtain a mortgage and therefore might not be able to get a loan to deliver the project.
But lifting the caveat removed the security it provides the shire against the chance the land could be sold to a buyer not bound by the original contract.
The report said lifting the caveat temporarily had not been discussed with the shire’s solicitors.
A plan on a website promoting the development shows the residents’ workshop and an area for caravan and boat parking close by.
Stage 1 is meant to involve 16 homes with a total of 120 modular homes planned for the site.
This week online searches for the lifestyle village brought up links to a message saying the village was permanently closed but also displayed a message saying the village was permanently closed.
The developer, who said he was overseas, said their IT would be looking into the message.
Video: Andrew Williams
