WHITTON was once the epicentre of the MIA, but could this happen again?
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A parcel of land in the town has been endorsed by Leeton Shire Council for “continued planning and design of a residential subdivision” in Conapaira Street.
The council-owned land will be available as a place to buy and build at a much cheaper price than in Leeton or Griffith.
Real estate agents in the region have been consulted to figure out what would be the most desirable land sizes and costs.
Agents confirmed a combination of 1000sqm and 2000sqm would be best and a sale price of $25,000 to $30,000 would be workable.
Whitton ratepayers and residents advocated strongly for opportunities to revitalise Whitton, including opening up further sections of land for houses to be built.
Whitton Town Improvement Committee chairman Tracy Catlin said the town was a well-placed spot between Leeton, Darlington Point and Griffith for people to consider living, especially young families.
“Whitton has an excellent school, great pool and enthusiastic community who all want to see the township reinvigorated,” she said.
“It is conveniently located for people to live especially where one parent works in one town and the other in another.
“I’m confident the lots will be snapped up quickly when they go to market.”
With Leeton and Griffith both in the grips of a rental market crisis, building a new home at Whitton could be a solution.
The cost of buying a new home in Griffith is becoming increasingly more expensive, while in Leeton there is somewhat of a land lock with less and less areas available for residential purposes.
Griffith Real Estate Leeton agent Luke Santolin said the idea was an interesting one.
“You’ve got your stalwarts in Leeton and Griffith that will only buy or build in those towns,” he said.
“However, I think it is an interesting idea in helping to reinvigorate Whitton.
“It can only be seen as positive news.”
With many opportunities currently surrounding Whitton, including the Southern Cotton gin and more employment opportunities at the Western Riverina Intermodel Freight Terminal just down the road, council was hopeful once finalised, the subdivision would provide a solid opportunity for families.
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Mayor Paul Maytom said the development had the potential to be a major influence on the enhancement and revitalisation of Whitton.
“The residential subdivision offers an excellent opportunity to address part of our housing gap,” he said.
“Being affordable will, I am sure, attract workers and young families to consider making Whitton their home.”
This residential subdivision proposal will be a central element of the Whitton Town Improvement Plan that will be further developed early this year.