16 October 2007
Kevin Rudds plan to release surplus Commonwealth land to help ease the housing affordability crisis will make a difference to thousands of young home buyers, according to Chief Executive of the NSW Urban Taskforce, Aaron Gadiel.
The plan to overhaul the Commonwealth Property Disposals Policy is long overdue, Mr Gadiel said.
Its about time that all Federal Government departments were required to show why surplus land should not be released for the benefit of local communities.
Local communities stand to win with extra homes to accommodate young families, and with extra parks, playgrounds, child care centres and other facilities.
The Federal Government currently owns more than $6 billion worth of land across the country.
There are vast expanses of under-utilised Commonwealth land.
This has been allowed to occur while Sydney families are battling to secure their own home.
The current Commonwealth Property Disposals Policy should support the needs of our growing cities and towns.
The Federal Government can make a difference, and we congratulate Kevin Rudd for his initiative in this area.
This plan will boost employment with new jobs created through commercial and industrial development.
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.
Aaron Gadiel will be able available for television interviews at the rear of State Parliament.
Media Enquires:
Aaron Gadiel,
Chief Executive Officer,
Phone: 0417 477 904 or (02) 9238 3955