A 1.85ha property adjoining Katandra Bushland Sanctuary bequeathed to the former Pittwater Council has been saved by Northern Beaches Council and will be protected as part of the Warriewood escarpment.

24B and 24C Walana Crescent, Warriewood were auctioned last night following Supreme Court orders for the sale of the properties to allow the proceeds of the sales to go to Council and other beneficiaries of the estate.

Marjorie Roberts who donated the land as part of her Will was vision impaired and had been an active member of Pittwater Council’s Access Committee and a member of the Katandra Bushland Sanctuary, which adjoined her properties.

Northern Beaches Council Administrator Dick Persson AM said Council had the opportunity to purchase 24C Walana Crescent with the proceeds from the sale of 24B, providing the majority of funds to Council to purchase and protect this property.

“It’s not every day a property can make a difference for the whole community and I am pleased that the new Northern Beaches Council could fund this purchase and enhance the existing bushland corridor,” Mr Persson said.

The property is located directly adjacent to Katandra Bushland Sanctuary on the Ingleside/Warriewood escarpment and is home to forest remnants with creeks and fern-fringed pools, as well as Swamp Wallabies, Lyrebirds and threatened species like the Eastern Pygmy Possum.

“As Northern Beaches is now a larger Council we have the capacity to also deliver access improvements in the area through other funding sources that we feel would also support Ms Roberts aspirations for the visually impaired,” he said.

FACT SHEET – Property Purchase 24C Walana Crescent, Warriewood

• Two properties 24B and 24C Walana Crescent, Mona Vale (Also known as part of 26 Walana Crescent, Warriewood) were bequeathed to the former Pittwater Council in April 2015
• A decision in the Supreme Court on 17 June 2015 to include further beneficiaries of the estate required the properties be sold to allow for distribution of the proceeds
• On 19 October 2015 former Pittwater Council resolved to use the funds it received from the sale of the properties be allocated to pedestrian access improvements and other improvements for the visually impaired in the vicinity of the Mona Vale area
• After representations from the community this decision was rescinded and a new resolution made to purchase 24C Walana Crescent by the Administrator at an Extraordinary Northern Beaches Council Meeting at 2.30pm on 15 February 2016
• At 6pm on 15 February 24B Walana Crescent, Warriewood was sold for $2.2 million and 24C Walana Crescent, Warriewood was sold for $2.005 million
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