A MOVE by Port Stephens Council to rescind a controversial land acquisition, which embroiled the council in a possible $8.5 million legal challenge, is now being considered by the Local Government Minister.
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The council applied to the NSW Local Government Minister Don Page earlier this year for permission to give back the land it bought from the Williamtown Towers family in order to build the Stockton Bight Track.
A spokesman for the minister confirmed to the Examiner the application had been received but could give no timeline for its completion.
The spokesman said under certain circumstances the minister had the power to recommend to the government that an acquisition notice be rescinded. Each application was considered on its merits.
The Towers family had started procedures to take the council to the Land and Environment Court, claiming the price the council paid did not take into account a multimillion-dollar access deal they allege they had with Macka's Sand to access their land.
Legal costs are reported to have exceeded $140,000.
