Green Wedges Coalition - A vision for Melbourne

THE Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution has been met with a plethora of objections from landowners who may be hit with a $95,000 per hectare tax bill for the sale of their property if the proposed legislation is passed through Parliament.

Northern Victoria MP Donna Petrovich last week accused the planning minister of “ignoring his responsibilities as he refuses to meet with concerned landowners about the Urban Growth Tax”.

When questioned by Star about Mr Madden’s intentions to meet with local lobby group Taxed Out, a Government spokesperson told Star that the minister’s office had “received a request to meet the group last week, and is under consideration”.

“The GAA (Growth Areas Authority) is most appropriate to meet with community members as they will be administering the contribution if it is passed in Parliament,” he said.

“The ongoing program of consultation is designed to let the community speak openly with the experts about a range of topics, and it is important that this process is free from political interference.

“The Government, which has released a discussion paper about the proposed urban expansion, is about to embark on a program of community consultation starting with eight sessions.”

He refused to answer any further questions regarding Mr Madden’s involvement in the consultation process.

In Parliament last week, Ms Petrovich also asked the minister to meet with her constituents to hear their concerns firsthand.

“Mr Madden refused to acknowledge the request,” she said. She again accused the government of making a “cash grab”.

“Property owners, who now fall under the new urban growth boundaries, will be stripped of their fundamental rights of deciding where they can live and when they can move on,” she said.

“With this pending tax liability all landowners in these areas have, overnight, become a major credit risk through no fault of their own.

“This financial crisis for many landowners lies 100 per cent squarely on the shoulders of Mr Madden.

“It is a very serious matter and it is shameful.

“He needs to hear their concerns firsthand and have some sympathy for what he is imposing on these people,” Ms Petrovich told Parliament.
 

http://www.senews.com.au/story/76577