The Balranald Shire Council has received a huge boost to its assets, following the sale of a council-owned petrol station.
The council-owned Caltex Roadhouse, located on the Sturt Highway recently sold for $1.9 million.
An auction was held at the Balranald RSL on Friday, February 17 with seven registered bidders competing for the property.
The council had owned the property for 30 years as part of its commercial real estate portfolio.
Representatives from Queensland based company Vikavas Mataji Pty Ltd purchased the property.
Mayor Leigh Byron said the sale of the property had given the shire’s economy a huge boost.
“I felt like skipping down the street afterwards,” Cr Byron said.
“This has got rid of an asset that could have been a real liability if it needed repairing.
“It was not a core service for council to run.”
The 24-hour roadhouse has been a popular pit-stop for people travelling through Balranald.
It features a restaurant, convenience store, motel units and fuel facilities.
Cr Byron said the $1.9 million would “sit there” until council decided what to do with it.
“It could be years before we find out what the money will go towards,” he said.
“This also relieves a bit of financial pressure for us.
“It’s always great to have some unreserved cash in the bank account.”
To read more about this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (March 3).
