Being prepared is about to pay off for Dunedin Scouts.
A 15ha parcel of land at Mt Cargill, owned by the organisation for more than half a century, is to be sold by tender this month.
"It was originally purchased to build a camping site, but that was about the same time as Waiora was being built as a scout camp," Terra Nova Scout group leader John Sinclair said this week.
"The sole reason we're selling is that, with the downturn and everything, we have too many buildings for the organisation."
The Terra Nova, Ravensbourne, Waitaha (St Leonards) and Monowai (Sawyers Bay) groups amalgamated last year.
They were now based at Ravensbourne and sailed from Back Beach, at Port Chalmers, he said.
Mr Sinclair was unsure what price the property would fetch.
"We do have an idea, but I don't want to say.
"It's one of the last chunks of land around there. The ground's covered in native bush and there's a sizable plantation of pines, which are about 10 years away from maturing."
Scouts New Zealand Otago regional development manager Kevin McRae said proceeds from the sale would be used to develop the West Harbour Scout group.
"When it's an active group, the money goes back to them," he said.
Century 21 Real Estate agent Steve Isted said he had never seen such a large parcel of land available in the area.
"It's quite unique and hasn't been touched in more than 20 years. On a clear day you can see right down to the albatross colony. There are some restrictions, though, on things like what colour you can paint things."
Mr Isted did not wish to speculate on a potential sale price.
"There have been a few figures thrown about, but we don't know what they're [Scouts] going to be happy with."
Tenders for the land close at 4pm on March 31.
