WODONGA councillor Libby Hall believes the acceptance of the highest bid for a block of industrial land at Bandiana would have helped allay concerns Killara residents had about ongoing noise complaints in the area.
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The block of land, which has been sold to Repus Funds, is located next door to the Immix recycling plant which has been the subject of ongoing complaints leading to a hearing scheduled at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal next year.
Riverside Estate residents are a party to the VCAT hearing.
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The estate has been created by JMP Property Developments which had their higher offer for the Bandiana land rejected by council due partly because they didn't have any immediate plans to build on the site.
"KIllara residents weren't considered in the evaluation process by council and at the very least if we should go back and negotiate with all (bidders)," she said.
"They all had an equal opportunity and all put their best foot forward," he said.
Mayor Anna Speedie agreed.
"One of the things that is pretty evident when you look at our industrial land strategy we are actually really short on small lot, industrial land," she said.
It was also revealed during the meeting a Wodonga business which had expansion plans on the site submitted the highest offer in the initial expressions of interest search for a buyer.
"We did send the CEO back at the end of the EOI process to the highest bidder and the one which offered a great outcome for the wider community (Repus) and go back to the negotiating table," Cr Speedie said.
"It wasn't an automatic acceptance.
"Just as a reminder this land has been for sale since 2016 and this has all been triggered by the fact someone came to us and wanted to put an offer in."
The vote to accept the Repus offer was passed 5-1 with Cr Ron Mildren declaring a conflict due to previously doing work for JMP Developments.
