Mr Swannell and his neighbours argued the land at Katinka Street was environmentally significant.

The residents referred the $5.45million sale to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) earlier this year, but it was last week dismissed. After claiming the process ``opened his eyes'' to the inner workings of council, Mr Swannell will stand on The Greens ticket in Cabravale ward.

``I've always been a Labor voter, but when I saw the way the council put the DA through IHAP [Independent Hearing Assessment Panel] and the disregard for the environment I had to stand up for the issue,'' Mr Swannell said.

``Advice we received from the Environmental Defender's Office showed there were a number of grounds for challenge to the decision, but we just didn't have the money.

``Despite ICAC saying they won't pursue it further, I don't want residents to forget what has happened.''

The land was sold to Trafalgar Corporate Group last year which received council approval to build a 42-house estate. Mayor Nick Lalich revealed for the first time the land was sold for $5.45million ``following a lengthy public and transparent disposal process''.

``An independent flora and fauna assessment report accompanied the [development] application,'' Mr Lalich said.

``The DA was also referred to and considered by IHAP and was independently assessed by Don Fox Planning. These assessments concluded that there would be no significant impacts on any threatened species or populations of endangered ecological communities.''

Another council candidate, Joseph Adams, president of the Australian Business Party, said the late revelation of the price and political links to the developer were cause for concern.

``I would have preferred a public auction of the land for better transparency how will we ever know if a better price could have been achieved?'' Mr Adams said.

``I'm also concerned that the buyer, Trafalgar Corporate, has made substantial donations to the ALP.''

Trafalgar Corporate and associated Harrington Properties donated more than $90,000 to the ALP between 2001 and 2006.

A spokesman for Trafalgar Corporate said no donations had been made to Fairfield Council.

Elections are September 13.