27 April 2011

We think it would be a serious mistake to impose punitive taxes on people investing in more than one rental property. Such a policy would cripple Australias supply of new housing and have severe economic impacts.

25 March 2011

Much of the debate on urban transport focuses on public transport alone, without also considering the new roads that are essential to keep freight freely moving. As most businesses cannot be located at the end of a rail line, roads play a key role in any freight movement system. A freight strategy will provide an opportunity to highlight the strong need for motorway investment within our major cities.

22 March 2011

On the 25 February 2011 significant changes were again made to the Standard Instrument. With one exception the changes are generally a further effort to undermine the positive intent behind the original 2006 text of the Standard Instrument.

17 March 2011

Provisions in relation to the signage for the marketing of new homes require improvement.

16 March 2011

When private developers are unable to develop new housing, it is ordinary homebuyers and renters who suffer most. Almost everyone shops and works in premises developed by the private sector and more are required.

04 March 2011

The draft Centre Design Guidelines are 90 pages long and sets out 396 new principles to further regulate urban development.

01 March 2011

Levy amounts, as presented, are too high but the Departments definition of net developable area make them utterly indefensible. Crucial information has been omitted from the exhibition documents. The Hunter Expressway should not be included.Industrial land includes a wide range of non-industrial land uses. The exemptions from the levy defy logic and must be broader. Deed of charge may conflict with landowners obligations to their first or second mortgagees. Requiring a deferred payment to be made 21 days before settlement will create financing problems.

25 February 2011

The Department of Planning released the public consultation documents for a proposed levy on new homes in the Lower Hunter (said to be $8,80 per lot) and a levy on new homes in the southern Illawarra (said to be $6,200 per lot). The Department is also proposing a $42,100 levy on each hectare of new Lower Hunter industrial land, and a $29,000 levy on each hectare of Illawarra industrial land.

14 February 2011

The Urban Taskforce does not support the proposed amendment to the Standard Instrument as this amendment: is unnecessary; creates the impression that 34 zones in the Standard Instrument are not enough; creates an undesirable precedent; and is inconsistent with contemporary planning principles for the creation of vibrant, active and competitive global cities.

14 January 2011

Local government decision-making is not sufficiently transparent. We believe improved transparency would attract investment dollars (based on a more certain planning regulatory environment) and boost public confidence in council decision-making.