The parliamentary report into Badgerys Creek employment lands released today fails a critical test – the need to deliver more jobs to Western Sydney, according to the Property Council of Australia.
NSW Executive Director Ken Morrison said the report’s recommendations did nothing to solve the lack of progress on the Government’s 2007 Employment Lands Action Plan.
“Recommendations that improve transparency and confidence in the system are welcome, as we all want a fair, simple and efficient planning system,” Mr Morrison said.
“It would be a plus to see movement on the integration of planning decisions with infrastructure delivery and economic priorities, as well as regular and timely updates on proposals.
“The fact remains however that over two years on and progress on the Government’s 2007 Employment Action Plan remains limited and well behind schedule.
“The report fails to address the fundamental policy point – the 18,500 jobs promised to Western Sydney remain undelivered.
“It is essential that we get on with the task of delivering new manufacturing, warehousing and distribution centre developments in Western Sydney and give people jobs closer to home.
“The report also fails to address another critical issue – the high taxes that will stunt any effort to bring employment land on line.
“The one piece of employment land released – 826ha of new employment lands at the M4-M7 interchange – is subject to a state infrastructure charge of $180,000 per hectare.
“That’s more than twice the change for employment land in the growth centres, and fully serviced industrial land in Melbourne can be purchased for less than the cost of the NSW tax alone.”
Mr Morrison repeated the Property Council’s calls for more action on the Government’s 2007 Employment Lands Action Plan.
“In March 2007 the Government released an Employment Lands Action Plan after considerable work by a task force appointed by the then Premier.” Mr Morrison said.
“This Action Plan was very worthy, however unfortunately there has not been enough action on it.”
Summary of progress – 2007 Employment Land Action Plan
|
Action |
Progress |
|
1. Establish an Employment Lands Development Program to monitor land stocks |
No progress.
Government allocated $1 million to this in 2007 with no outcome. |
|
2. Release more employment lands |
Steady progress
We understand plans for the Western Sydney Employment Lands Investigation Area are immanent. |
|
3. Regenerate brown-field sites |
No progress.
The situation has deteriorated with councils, under direction from the Department of Planning, prohibiting the renewal of too many old industrial sites. Inaction on other initiatives to support this action. |
|
4. More efficient planning and rezoning processes |
Progress but infrastructure coordination and funding remain killer hurdles. |
|
5. Establish an Employment Lands Ministerial Advisory Committee to improve coordination between state government, councils and industry |
Not established.
Today’s announcement demonstrates the need for partnership with the industry |
Ken Morrison was a member of the NSW Government’s Employment Lands Task Force which reported to the then Premier and Minister for Planning in December 2006. In response to the Task Force report, the Government released an Employment Lands Action Plan in March 2007.
Media contact: Ken Morrison, NSW Executive Director on 02 9033 1906 or 0412 233 715.
