01 September 2009
Property developers have been arguing for conventional checks and balances on development contributions since 2007, but have been ignored by the state government.
The agreement entered into was not a ˜voluntary planning agreement under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, Mr Gadiel said.
The judge observed that planning agreements under the Act provide built-in safety procedures, including public exhibition and the opportunity for the community to make submissions.
We have been strongly arguing that the NSW Government needed to introduce the conventional checks and balances to its system of contributions for infrastructure, conservation areas and land dedication.
We raised the issues repeatedly with both the former Planning Minister Frank Sartor and senior Department of Planning executives.
Our pleas were documented on six separate occasions in direct letters to the then Planning Minister, letters to Treasury, the Department of Planning and a parliamentary inquiry.
Weve been seeking greater transparency because its important that the public knows what government requires of property developers.
The Urban Taskforce is a property development industry group, representing Australias most prominent property developers and equity financiers.
For every $1 million in construction expenditure, 27 jobs are created throughout the broader economy. The construction activity made possible by property developers contributes $69 billion to the national economy each year and creates 709,000 direct jobs. The construction industry is Australias third largest source of employment.
