Council is looking to build on a successful 2009-10 financial year where they made $9 million through the sale of 63 residential lots and seven commercial sites.

The new 29-lot residential subdivision in Westbourne Drive, known as Avonlea Stage Six, has cost Bathurst Regional Council about $1.8 million for civil and electrical works.

At last week’s meeting councillors voted to sell 27 of the blocks for $135,000 each.

The remaining two blocks will sell for approximately $150,000 and $170,000, subject to certain conditions.

The blocks are likely to be made available in a public ballot next month.

Bathurst Regional Council’s property officer Rick Foster said most of the work on the development is either finished or almost completed.

“All of the roadworks, kerb and guttering and electrical work are being done and once it has all been completed council can start planning the release,” he said.

“This latest release is all part of council’s master plan for the area and already we have had plenty of inquiries.

“We are expecting the 29 lots to sell well.”

Just last year, 23 people entered the ballot for the 33 lots for sale in Avonlea Stage Seven at Abercrombie, with prices ranging from $115,000 to $135,000.

The successful sale helped council to record above average income from land sales during the last financial year.

“That $9 million from the 2009-10 financial year is above average and I don’t think we will make that sort of money again this year,” Mr Foster said.

After the release of Avonlea Stage Six, council will turn its attention to opening up another section of land in Bathurst towards the end of the year.

Council has also approved the development of 43 new residential lots in two subdivisions to be known as Llanarth Stage 11 and Llanarth Stage 12. It is anticipated work will begin on the subdivisions once an appropriate Development Application has been lodged and approved.