Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is claiming it owns Lot 10 of the site. 

The council has proposed to rezone and reclassify Lots 10 and 11 of the Batemans Bay park, to sell the land to raise funds for community infrastructure.

The council’s website says the land “could provide development opportunities in the form of medium density housing or tourist and visitor accommodation”. 

Save Albert Ryan Park and Eurobodalla Concerned Citizens convener Trish Hellier told the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner about the disputed title on Thursday, May 5.

The RMS said it was in discussions with the council about the land. 

“Roads and Maritime Services owns Lot 10 of Albert Ryan Park on Beach Road at Batemans Bay and has held preliminary discussions with Eurobodalla Shire Council about the future of this land,” the spokesperson said. 

However, a Eurobodalla Shire Council spokesperson said the section of land “may be owned by RMS”. 

The spokesperson said the council became aware of the disputed title on Wednesday, May 4 – a week after a report seeking feedback on a proposal to reclassify and rezone the land, in an effort to sell it, was passed. 

“The ownership of part of the land which makes up Albert Ryan Park was raised with council on Wednesday of this week,” they said. 

“It has been identified that Lot 10 may be owned by RMS. 

“Council’s records show that council is the owner of the land.

“Council is investigating the matter in consultation with RMS and will consider the outcome of the investigation, along with any submissions received from the public during the exhibition period. 

“All of the information gathered from the consultation process will inform councils consideration of the matter, what form any formal proposal to rezone the land may take, or if council decides to proceed with a formal proposal at all.”

Submissions on the proposal close on Friday, May 13.