Maitland council backs down on Clift Street park sale after legal advice
Council will rescind the park sale. Legal advice found the land cannot be sold.
Maitland City Council is abandoning its bid to sell the Clift Street parkland. The abandonment follows months of community campaigning.
Legal advice received Friday found the 1950 transfer to council was not done correctly. The land only became legally owned by council in September 1997.
It is classified as Community Land, which cannot be sold under law. Council staff will recommend rescinding the July 21 resolution that approved the sale.
An extraordinary council meeting will vote on the rescission Tuesday evening. The decision supports residents who challenged the sale using land titles records and a 1997 council agenda.
- 13-17 Clift Street, Maitland
- Land address
- September 1997
- True ownership date
- Jeff Smith
- Council general manager
- Elise Merlin
- Campaign leader
Why it mattersA beloved community green space remains protected and cannot be sold.
Open this story in InSnip →
