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Media Releases |
Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 4 May 2009 EXTENSION OF REVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVIES Responding to a request from an expert panel, Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, today announced that she has granted an extension to the review underway of council levy plans. The review was started following the December 2008 announcement that the State Government would reduce our own levies by up to $27,000 and introduce a $20,000 per block threshold for council levies. It is being managed by the Local Contributions Review Panel, which includes the Departments of Planning and Local Government, NSW Treasury and independent experts. The Panel will make recommendations to the Planning Minister for her consideration. “Reducing our levies and introducing a threshold for council levies are measures designed to boost the home construction industry and improve housing affordability,” Ms Keneally said. “The independent Panel has been working with 28 Councils across New South Wales to review 92 separate Section 94 (local contributions) Plans above the $20,000 threshold. “The Panel received applications from about the number of councils it expected, however the number of plans was higher. “The Panel advised me it will not be in a position to finalise recommendations for my decision by 30 April. I’ve granted an extension and instructed the process be finalised by the end of May. “Over the coming days and weeks, the Panel will progressively make recommendations to me about individual council’s contribution plans.” Ms Keneally said that given the importance of this issue to local councils, the review must stay a fair and robust process. “It is necessary to give the Panel time to make recommendations which are both considered and right,” Ms Keneally said. “That said, I recognise that both councils and the development industry want certainty about levies, which is why I’ve instructed that this review be finalised as soon as possible. “As an interim measure, the 28 Councils that have sought an exemption to the threshold will be able to continue to levy under their existing Section 94 Plans. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank councils for working so closely with us throughout this process. “This is continuing to provide a good opportunity for the State Government and councils to address issues of both housing affordability and infrastructure provision.”
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