Public forum highlights landowner concern over GAIC
21-June-2009
State Member for Hastings, Neale Burgess, hosted a community forum last Wednesday evening, regarding the Brumby Government's proposed changes to the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and imposition of the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC).
Around 200 residents, landholders and business owners attended the forum held at the Devon Meadows Hall.
Those in attendance heard that expansion of the UGB, will mean that all properties brought within the new boundary will be slugged the new GAIC tax of $95,000 per hectare.
The tax would apply as soon as owners decided to do anything with their land and is payable upfront.
“It is clear from the response we are getting from landowners, that there are a lot of people worried about the damaging effect this new tax will have” said Mr Burgess.
Mr Burgess added: "Because a property's valuation will increase one it is inside the UGB, council rates on it will sky-rocket; in many cases this extra cost will force the owner to sell, triggering the GAIC tax."
“The GAIC will place a huge burden on many families and individuals. The State Government is threatening the financial security of these landowners”.
A draft revised Urban Growth Boundary was announced by the Minister for Planning this week. Public submissions regarding the draft boundary are being received until 17 July.
“The Brumby Government is trying to justify this massive new tax by saying the money is needed to build infrastructure. The truth is this Labor government has had more than $300 Billion over the last 10 years and has wasted it instead of investing in our state.
“Why should these landowners who are already doing it tough, have to cover the cost of this governments failures and inability to manage money?”
A petition calling for the withdrawal of this new tax will be submitted to Parliament by Mr Burgess this week.
Mr Burgess has asked anyone who is worried about the GAIC or any other matter, to contact him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at his office on 5977 5600 or by email on neale.burgess@parliament.vic.gov.au.