NSW: Govt denies property purchase laws will enrich developers

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2008
NSW: Govt denies property purchase laws will enrich developers

SYDNEY, April 19 AAP - NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor has denied proposed changes
to state planning laws are aimed at the compulsory acquisition of private land to onsell
to developers.

The state government, already under sustained criticism over political donations by
developers, is facing renewed fire over draft legislation that would allow it to acquire
land for major projects.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported today that the new legislation would give government
agencies and councils power to compulsorily acquire private land to resell to developers
at a profit, or even at a reduced price to allow developers to make even more money.

The state opposition said business and home owners would lose their land under the
proposed new laws allowing its sale to property developers.

Mr Sartor said the draft changes would only enable urban renewal projects to go ahead
that were delayed due to one or two property owners holding out for a higher sale price.

"Why should we have one or two property owners standing in the way - it just seems
crazy," Mr Sartor told reporters in Sydney.

"It's a power to better plan our cities."

The minister said the issue came to light over a civic place project proposed for Parramatta,
in Sydney's west, that is currently before the courts.

He said the existing legislation already allows the acquisition of private property
but required clarification in parts to prevent property owners from holding out for more
money.

But he promised that the new powers would not affect "99 per cent" of property in NSW.

"You can't do it unless its part of an urban renewal project, unless its part of a
major public policy initiative," Mr Sartor said.

AAP vpm/rp/jt/bwl

KEYWORD: PLANNING SARTOR

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