Planning supported by infrastructure delivery, revitalisation of bureaucratic structure, and greater accountability for local governments are among the 5 Actions to Restore Queensland’s Competitiveness in the Property Council of Australia’s Election 2012 advocacy agenda, released January 25.
With property industry sentiment in the state lagging well below other resource states, we need decisive action from our politicians to get Queensland back on top, Queensland Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia, Kathy Mac Dermott, says.
“The Property Council has been raising awareness of our advocacy agenda over the past few months, with some of our critical actions already taken up as part of State Government and LNP election commitments.”
“Demonstrating how they will unlock investment in Queensland’s property sector is critical for political leaders in the lead up to the State and local government elections.”
“The Election 2012 advocacy agenda outlines five actions necessary to restore Queensland’s competitiveness on a local, national and international level.”
5 Actions to Restore Queensland’s Competitiveness:
1. Robust planning for the next 30 years
2. Innovate and deliver
3. Reboot local governments
4. Cut taxes, fees and charges
5. Capitalise on the wave of engineering investment.
“Despite the myriad of reforms undertaken in the mid-2000s, Queensland’s planning system lacks clarity, certainty and direction. The industry is crying out for Government to deliver a strategic and operational planning framework that returns to basics and will restore much-needed certainty to the sector.”
“Since the Building Revival Forum in April last year, the industry has been calling for a moratorium on State Planning Policies (SPPs), which continue to undermine the planning system.”
“New ideas, innovations and learnings from both the public and private sector must be mainstreamed into Government operations to revolutionise the bureaucratic culture, starting with the appointment of a dedicated Property Minister.”
“With much focus on the role of the State Government in planning, more emphasis is needed on resourcing local governments so they are accountable for and better able to achieve their growth targets."
“Tax competitiveness must also be restored. Our off-the-plan stamp duty arrangements and exorbitant land taxes and infrastructure charges mean that Queensland is unable to compete for investment with our southern counterparts.”
“With 30.1% of Queensland’s employment directly or indirectly in the property sector, working collaboratively with the property industry will ensure that the benefits of the mining boom are better able to translate broadly across the economy.”
“Until there is the political will to make the changes needed to allow our sector to turn the corner, Queensland will remain at the back of the pack. The urgency is now.”
Click here to obtain a copy of the Election 2012 advocacy agenda.
