[Greens-Media] (Sylvia Hale MLC) Government Must Spend More If Developer Levies Are Cut

[Christopher Holley]

Government Must Spend More If Developer Levies Are Cut
 
 
Sydney will develop ghettos on its outskirts if proposed reductions in
infrastructure levies paid by developers are not matched by increased
government spending, according to Sylvia Hale MP, NSW Greens MP
spokesperson on Planning.
 
“The levies that are collected from developers pay for building local
roads and transport links, parks, community centres, 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.
 
The houses may be cheaper but few people will want to live there.
Residents will pay the costs for 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 improved.” 
 
“ Strategic government investment must also be timely. 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.”
 
“The property developers are screaming for lower levies but any
reduction in levies should not just go straight into the pockets of the
developers who already make substantial windfall profits from land
rezonings in new development areas. Developers are very quick to pass on
levy increases by pushing up prices, the government should ensure that
any reduction in developer levies results in a proportionate reduction
in home prices.”
 
“The state government must also look at removing the cap on local
council rate rises. If less money is coming from levies when you
purchase a home more will need to come from rates once you have moved
in,” said Ms Hale.
 
 
Further information or comment: Chris Holley (02) 9230 3030