[Greens-Media] [Sylvia Hale MLC] Labor's Legacy of Outskirt Slums

[Christopher Holley]

Media Release
17 December 2008
For immediate use


Labor's Legacy of Outskirt Slums


Joe Tripodi's push to cut levies paid by developers will see Sydney
return to the days of slums on its outskirts if cuts in infrastructure
levies paid by developers are not matched by increased government
spending, according to Sylvia Hale MP, NSW Greens MP spokesperson on
Planning.

"These levies pay for building water and sewage, local roads and
transport links, parks, swimming pools and libraries. These are
essential elements of any successful new community. If they are absent
we will be left with poorly serviced slums on the outskirts of
Sydney," said Ms Hale.

"There is no guarantee that the cut in levies will lead to more
affordable housing. Developers are under no obligation to pass on
those cuts by lowering prices, they will still sell for the highest
price they can get. The government should make the cut in levies
contingent on a guaranteed lower price for the housing."

"Even if some houses are cheaper few people will want to live in urban
fringe areas with poor infrastructure and no services. New residents
will pay the social and economic costs of inadequate transport,
education and health infrastructure."

"Funding for community infrastructure should come from a variety of
sources including levies on developers, council rates and direct state
and federal government investment. Changing the mix of that funding
will only work if the overall level of infrastructure investment is
maintained or increased. Instead the government is slashing levies at
the same time it is deferring government infrastructure spending and
capping council rates."

"Strategic government investment is required now. It's no good
building a new suburb then waiting until the roads are gridlocked
before thinking about putting in a train line. We've seen how
disastrous that can be with the traffic problems that now exist in the
north-western suburbs," said Ms Hale.

"This push by Joe Tripodi is taking Sydney back to the 1950s, a period
of development free-for-all and poorly serviced slums on the urban
fringe. Kristina Kenneally is obviously not able to stand up for
proper urban planning in the face of Mr Tripodi's push to increase the
profits of his friends in the development industry," Ms Hale said.


Further information or comment:
Chris Holley (02) 9230 3030


 
 
 
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