[Greens-Media] (Sylvia Hale MLC) Infrastructure Must Accompany Land Release

Christopher Holley Christopher.Holley at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Fri Sep 28 12:23:21 EST 2007


Infrastructure Must Accompany Land Release
 
NSW Greens MP and spokesperson on Planning, Sylvia Hale, says that the
provision of infrastructure must occur at the same time as new land is
released on Sydney’s fringe.
 
“The government must not submit to pressure from the development
industry to scale back infrastructure levies, unless it is prepared to
provide the public transport, hospitals and schools these new areas
require at the same time the land is released,” Ms Hale said.
 
“It is wrong to entice people into buying houses in new growth areas
before those areas are adequately serviced.
 
“Without appropriate infrastructure, new homeowners will face a
multitude of stresses - not just financial - of lengthy car journeys,
non-existent or inadequate childcare, educational and hospital
facilities.
 
“It is equally short-sighted of the Minister for Planning to foreshadow
cuts to s.94 contributions. These levies apply to almost everyone
undertaking development anywhere in the state where that development
places additional strains on existing community facilities.
 
“It is usual for councils to apply s.94 levies to acquire and maintain
parks, libraries, sporting facilities and the like. Without them, any
community would be infinitely poorer.
 
“Again, if the Minister proposes to reduce s.94 contributions, the
Government itself must provide the amenities that councils will no
longer be able to afford.
 
“Doing away with levies certainly eases the immediate burden on
developers. But what it really means is that that burden is transferred
onto new homeowners who are already struggling under steep mortgage
repayments, long journeys to work, and rising fuel prices,” Ms Hale
said. 
 
Further information: Chris Holley (02) 9230 3030 / 0437 779 546

 
 
Chris Holley
Policy and Media Officer
Office of Sylvia Hale MLC
Parliament House 
Macquarie St,
Sydney NSW 2000

Ph: 02 9230 3030 Mob: 0437 779 546
Fax: 02 9230 2159

E-mail: Christopher.Holley at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web:www.sylviahale.org.au


More information about the Media mailing list