Page 234 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 15 February 2012
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territory’s revenue. The revenue to date demonstrates that construction activity in the territory did not stall due to the introduction of codification. I think that was one of the predictions that were made by those opposite. The property market has continued as normal.
The numbers do not lie. The market is not changing its production or consumption decisions. The basic economics have proven sound. The government has taken the responsible course to ensure that the community receives fair value.
The government announced last week that in the forthcoming budget we will establish the urban improvement fund to inject this extra $22 million into maintaining and upgrading the urban amenity of our growing city. The improvement fund will be directly funded from the lease variation charge. This extra $22 million will mean more funding for parks and playgrounds, more shopping centre upgrades, better footpaths and more repairs to roads.
The government recognises the important contribution that is made by developers through commercial developments and through new residential accommodation, but it is only right that this money be put back into the community for all to enjoy. The gains should accrue for all Canberrans; by hypothecating this revenue into an enhanced municipal services program, we are able to deliver an even better city for people to live in.
MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Leader, ACT Greens) (5.30): The Greens will essentially be supporting the motion today, but we do have an important amendment. I move:
Omit subparagraph (1)(d) and paragraph (2), substitute:
“(d) that revenue generated through the Lease Variation Charge is important for delivering government services and protecting the amenity, social equity, and economic sustainability of our Territory;
(2) expresses its ongoing support for:
(a) the ACT community receiving fair value for granting additional development rights through the Lease Variation Charge; and
(b) ongoing improvements in urban amenity, social equity and economic sustainability; and
(3) calls on the Government to finalise the Lease Variation Charge remission instruments set out in the Planning and Development Act 2007 by 1 May 2012.”.
The amendment keeps the general principles of Ms Porter’s motion. The Greens agree that it is very important that the community gets a fair return when additional rights are granted to develop land in our community. Certainly the government has provided generous remissions and a phase-in period for the revised charge.
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