Govt land sell-off: $3 billion in prime properties up for grabs

[red750]

The largest military property sell-off in Australian history is underway, after the Albanese government agreed to put 64 ‘vacant, decaying’ Defence sites – estimated to be worth as much as $3 billion – on the market..

 

Some of Australia’s most valuable and historically significant military landholdings are now up for grabs, including Victoria Barracks in Sydney’s exclusive Paddington and its Melbourne counterpart, as well as the birthplace of the RAAF, Williams Base at Point Cook. Theis is an operating airfield and home of the RAAF Museum

[onetrack]

I could see this coming years ago, as Defence started on its major shopping list. I notice that the massive chunk of SAS land on the W.A. coast at Swanbourne (Campbell Barracks) isn't mentioned.

 

There's 236Ha of pristine, mega-mega dollar, ocean-front land there, that at current values would bring in mega-billions if sold off. I see where our local nefarious resident land developer, and Politician suck-hole, is licking his lips over the sale of Campbell Barracks, saying it "could bring in $1.3B for the Govt" if sold. Pigs bum it's worth $1.3B, more like $13B - but I'll wager he'll exert pressure on the Govt to sell it to him for $1.3B.

 

This is the value of that land in that region. A 1925 house on 1181 sq m of land in the area, sold last Oct for $12.8M. In the aerial view of the house and golf course, you can see the Campbell Barracks land in the distance.

 

https://www.domain.com.au/property-profile/11-pearse-street-cottesloe-wa-6011

[Jerry_Atrick]

I know the military and the department of defence are always reviewing their property portfolio to optimise it for modern day use. A war machine costs money and requires modern amenities. 

 

However, I can't help but think there are brown paper bags passing about in the halls of our decision makers. Not for sall of the properties. But Victoria Barracks in both Melbourne and Sydney, for example, are historically significant and an essential part of the fabric of their area; they are architecurally and environmentally a part of the culture and provide a welcome relief from the many bland building around them. 

 

Of course, they and the land they are upon are a developer's nirvana. And developers have little regard for the quality of the environment of what they develop to the communities they affect. 

 

Yes, they will be expensive to maintain. But sometimes things are important enought to warrant the cost. Otherwise we end up with bland, faceless streetscapes with no acknowledgment of our past, nor the variety and space that can bring enjoyment to dull days. 

[facthunter]

IF it's not needed Capitalise it and  build what is.  That saves a lot of Costs and better allocates resources. It's JUST good Business Practice It's NOT just a Brainfart and should have been done years ago. WE don't want to go more in debt.  Nev

[Jerry_Atrick]

I think you miss the point.. also government is not a business. 

[nomadpete]

14 minutes ago, Jerry_Atrick said:

I think you miss the point.. also government is not a business. 

But, but....

 

If Government is NOT a business, why do they have to constantly fiddle the books?

 

 

(Edit).... er, I meant 'balance the books'

[facthunter]

The Treasurer (or Chancellor of the Exchequer) has to  account for Gov't spending. They don't fiddle the Books, The Money for some  (who do the bidding of the Rich) is in Kick Backs and Lurks that are Not disclosed.. What is the Point of helping the Poor? They have NO where withal to show their appreciation and half the time just whinge anyhow wanting More. It's never enough.  Nev 

[facthunter]

For rich people paying Tax is Optional. Kerry Packer.  Nev

[Jerry_Atrick]

If the government (and therefore the country_ were a business, it would have gone broke or been sold at a knock down price years ago. The reality any business ultimately exists for one purpose and one purpose only. That is to make as much profit as it can. That is it. How it does it is it's choice. Some people may start a business with a noble intention or to indudge their hobby or whatever.. But the business only survives if it makes a profit that the owner/s want it to.  

 

A government has to balance the books - but that does not mean it has to receive a return in the same way a business does. And, in theory, a government like Australia cannot go broke. Although life can become economically untenable for its citizens (ref Zimbabwe, for example)  - but it does not itself go broke. Yes, they default on international loans and the like, but they still economically function.  A business defaulting on its loans with little or no chance of paying them stops in its current form. It may stay on in name, but the business is different; the shareholders are gone, etc etc. 

 

So, the returns the government (should) look at are not entirely econcomic. I am more familiar with Victoria Barracks n Melboune than Sydney. It forms part of the St Kilda Boulevard (ex St Kilda Road). This is uite an asthetic boulevard in the context of its relative greenery, division of the roads through green median strips, and a meld of modern high rise office blocks/apartments, a boundary to Fawkner Park, and as you get closer the the city, the Vitctoria Barracks (I am guessing the old hosptial is long gone that was on St. Kilda Road).

 

The Victoria Barracks break the monotony of the more modern and somewhat bland highrise. They oen the skyscape to more sky over penthouse suites and office rooves (roofs). Also, they are pleasing to look at - and older architecture that has beauty designed into it. And it is a historical reminder. It can bring amenity in the same way people admire art - but to more people than visit galleries; Once they are gone, there is no bringing them back. 

 

In this way, from a government perspective, to take the "good business" arguement, the return to the communty can be well worth the cost ofd preservation. Of course, we can't preserve everything, but both the Melbourne and Sydney Victoria Barracks are significant enough that the return to society is worth the cost. That is good government business. If the Dept of Defence want to realise the economic gain they can give it up to a cultural ministry for some exchange of budget. I think a museum is already in one of them.. That can be expanded; it can be covnerted to a living museum to help it contrinute to its upkeep and also provide an opportunity for further educating our people. 

 

Of course, that is only my opinion. Others may think it is an old eyesore and want it gone. That is the difficulty of governing a country over running a business. How to calculate the return

[red750]

Victoria Barracks.

 

[onetrack]

Are talking Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, or Victoria Barracks in Sydney? I was under the impression it was the Victoria Barracks in Sydney that is up for grabs.