At its meeting last week, Council resolved to purchase the Newell Highway site with a view to open it up for residential and tourist development.

Mayor Graeme Miller said it was an exciting opportunity.

“The most important reason is that the large site will allow Council to consider drainage and stormwater solutions for that area,” Mayor Miller said.

“The site also has a number of zones that can lead to residential and tourism developments.

“There are no other opportunities for residential development in that area therefore the purchase of this site is a huge step for more land to be made available for residential development.”

Council started the process to purchase the site after it was resolved at its March meeting that the Mayor and General Manager would negotiate a purchase price with the owner.

“These negotiations were successful and last Thursday, Council resolved to go ahead with the purchase,” Mayor Miller said.

Once the purchase is finalised, Council will develop a master plan for the land.

“This plan will define the concept and maximise the potential of this site,” Mayor Miller said.

The Lachlan Vintage Village website is still live and tells the story of the Village, developed in the 1970s to be a living, working museum on 80 hectares of land on the southern approach to Forbes. It was formally closed to the public in 2004.