[Greens-Media] development at any cost

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey MEDIA RELEASE
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Mon 29 May 06

Property Council - development at any cost

ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey questioned the motives of the Property Council of the ACT in their latest push to remove all constraints on development.

"The ACT's property development industry appears to be in favour of growth at any cost" Dr Foskey said.

"The most recent example of this is Property Council member Josip Zivko's intent to evict two hundred Canberra people in order to speculate on a future development deal for the Narrabundah Long Stay Park."

"I have written to the Property Council asking for its position on social responsibility in business.  I am looking forward to its response."

"Of course property interests would like to see their taxes reduced. However, ACT taxes are a small part of the total tax take on property."

"If the ACT did slash revenue raised from property, the Property Council doesn't suggest from where new revenue should come, nor does it indicate what services we should slash instead."

"I also take issue with the notion that Canberra has an abundance of land.  Unless the Commonwealth is prepared to purchase more of NSW for us to use then Canberra should aim to consolidate development rather than expand it."

 "In reality, the Property Council is proposing a windfall for developers by opening up publicly held land for speculation now."

"Sadly, it appears the Liberal Party is allowing its policy to be directed by the Property Council. I hope the ALP is smarter than that and works with the community as well."

 "Of course, the Property Council and I are not opposed on everything. I am pleased it is calling for an integrated approach to sustainable development targets for office space."

 "We can do much better with sustainable building design throughout Australia, and setting higher targets is one way to make sure it happens" Dr Foskey said.

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Roland Manderson   Media Advisor
ACT   Greens    MLA  Deb  Foskey  
Legislative Assembly for the ACT 
ph(02)62050551      m 0412241379
==== www.act.greens.org.au ===== 
  
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