Bicheno residents have raised their concerns about the decision to sell off council-owned land on Harveys Farm Road. 

North East Bioregional Network president Todd Dudley said the land, commonly known as Lenny’s Point, had been identified in the Bicheno Coastal Reserves report as having significant natural values. 

“The land should remain as a coastal reserve for the benefit of biodiversity, passive recreation, cultural heritage and scenic beauty,” he said. 

Glamorgan-Spring Bay mayor Michael Kent said the council had considered the concerns. 

“There were a number of what I would call idle assets that need to be considered to be sold off and the price of what we get back we put into the needs of the particular area,” he said. 

“With this particular land in Bicheno there has been some people concerned about us selling that particular block because they don’t get the opportunity to go from the car to the foreshore.”

Cr Kent said the council has proportioned off the land to allow for a walkway to be developed within three months and would then put the remaining land on the market.   

Cr Kent said the land was zoned rural residential, with the space being acquired from a developer “some years ago” in lieu of money. 

“We’re not in the business of wanting to take land in swaps opposed to financial contribution, but that is actually what happened in that subdivision. It was never meant to be open space,” Cr Kent said.

The land is also listed on the council’s Bicheno Coastal Reserves Native Flora and Fauna Management Plan for 2014 – 2019.

Cr Kent said the land would not have any Aboriginal heritage. 

“The planning department would be aware of that and they would have done the necessary inspections to verify what can and can’t be done and where and it would be sold on that basis. Those things have to be adhered to and taken into consideration,” Cr Kent said.