18 December 2007
The local councils campaign for higher levies on new homes is a bit rich, according to Aaron Gadiel, CEO of the NSW Urban Taskforce.
The State Governments recent reforms to local council development charges will make new homes more affordable for everyday home buyers, Mr Gadiel said.
These local council charges have been skyrocketing every year. A home buyer could face an extra $47,000 for their own home just to cover local council levies.
Every levy a council slaps on new homes makes them more expensive for young families.
Councils must be bored with their traditional responsibilities, because theyve been using levies on new homes to pay for all sorts of pet projects.
Sutherland Shire Council uses its money to pay for fish cleaning facilities.
Parramatta Council is levying home buyers to pay for cemetery upgrades.
Baulkham Hills Shire Council is using its levies to build new facilities for personal development classes.
North Sydney Council has been using its levy money to pay for existing facilities built years beforehand.
Camden Council wanted to tax home buyers to pay for council-run wellness and massage facilities, beach volley ball courts, yoga and Pilates facilities and media/sound studios.
Most people dont expect their councils to provide these kinds of services.
Councils need to be dragged back to their core business local roads, bus stops, drainage and parks.
The NSW Urban Taskforce is a property development industry group, representing NSWs most prominent and important developers, builders and property financiers. The NSW development industrys annual turnover is $35 billion and employs 180,000 people, accounting for six percent of the States total employment.
It is the fifth largest contributor to the State economy.
Media Enquires:
Aaron Gadiel,
Chief Executive Officer,
Phone: 0417 477 904 or (02) 9238 3955
