The small triangle of public land (pictured right) on a Stanwell Park residential street has some residents upset as Wollongong City Council considers selling it to the adjoining landowner.

Development by a previous owner of the property has encroached onto public land, including part of a retaining wall and driveway.

The council is now proposing to sell the encroaching portion.

The local Neighbourhood Forum has opposed the sale in the strongest terms.

Forum convener Warwick Erwin said council had been misled by claims the encroachment was discovered in 2014 – it had been known since 2012.

“Neighbourhood Forum 1 sees the proposed closure [as] against the public interest and only in the interest of the property owner,” he wrote in a letter to the council.

Next week’s council meeting will consider a proposal to close a portion near No. 5 Pioneer Drive at Woonona and sell it to the adjoining owner, because the boundary fence encroaches onto public land. The 106 square metre lot would net $37,000. 

The Mercury asked the council whether this practice sent a message that people can encroach onto public land, and if they are found out they will simply get a chance to buy it.

A council spokesman said only: “No”.

The Mercury asked council if it served the interest of the landowner who acted unlawfully, and not those of council or ratepayers.

The response: “No”.

He said council was guided by a policy. “Council has a policy under which it considers encroachments and makes equitable decisions based on all the facts gathered,” he said.

There are multiple proposals for the sale of road reserve land to adjoining property owners being considered.

In Stanwell Park, it is proposed to close and sell part of Lower Coast Rd and sell it to the owner of No. 68. There was a “minor” encroachment but this was not the main reason for the sale.

In Austinmer, it is proposed to close part of Buttenshaw Drive where it turns into Foothills Rd, and sell it to the adjoining landowners. 

A bid for Temple Rd in Helensburgh to be closed and sold to the Sri Venkateswara temple was withdrawn.