(1) Any sale of land under this Division must be by way of public auction, except as provided by this section.
(2) Land that fails to sell at public auction may be sold by private treaty.
(3) Land may be sold under this Division to the council, a councillor, a relative of a councillor, a member of staff of the council or any relative of a member of staff of the council in the case of sale by public auction, but may not be so sold in the case of sale by private treaty.