“The RWA’s draft contributions
plan proposes a developer levy of just two per cent or $36.7 million to provide
community infrastructure such as parks, childcare centres, pools and community
facilities,” Ms Moore said.
“In contrast, the City of Sydney has undertaken
rigorous research for its contribution plan in the southern suburbs which
concluded that a developer levy of about seven per cent is needed to just
maintain existing open space and community facility ratios. The NSW Property
Council described the City’s levy as sensible.
“This is an area which really
needs and deserves investment in community facilities and infrastructure, so
the RWA must explain how this is going to be provided.
“Imposing a low developer levy
may make it attractive to developers in the short term – and enable the
Authority to kick-start the regeneration of the area ahead of other inner city
areas where a higher levy is imposed – but there are real questions about the
long term cost to the community and the quality of the development which will
take place.
The Government’s rationale for
establishing the Redfern Waterloo Authority was to address the needs of this
sensitive and complex community. Investment in infrastructure is an essential
component and the community needs to be assured that this is not just a case of
the Government acting in the role of developer – looking for a quick buck for
the sale of state government sites in the area.
“The Government has a
responsibility to act in the public interest and ensure adequate investment in
urban infrastructure if this redevelopment is to be successful. This is a real
opportunity to set new standards and lead the way in sustainable inner city
renewal but it is hard to see a quality development happening with these
bargain basement developer levies.”
“The draft contributions plan
anticipates an additional workforce or 18,000 and an additional residential
population of 3,200 by 2018 – so adequate provision must be made. In order to
maintain the current ratio of open space, about 30,000m2 or more than five
football fields of additional open space should be provided,” the Lord Mayor
said.
“I am concerned the proposed
levy is too low to secure enough open space to support the growing population
and workforce.
“At some point, the work of
the RWA will come to an end and I do not want the local community and City
ratepayers to inherit responsibility for an area which lacks proper community
facilities or has unfunded or under-funded public works.
“There needs to be a
consistent approach across the city so neighbouring areas are not unfairly
affected and end up by default subsidising the provision of open space and
community facilities in the RWA area.
“I call on the Premier to
intervene to ensure effective infrastructure planning. We don’t want to create
the urban slums of the future – with a whole new set of urban problems when we
have the opportunity here to introduce an innovative sustainable inner city
renewal program addressing both social and urban infrastructure issues.
“There must be appropriate
consultation, studies and investigation to ensure proposed development and
infrastructure is adequate to meet community needs now and into the future,” Ms
Moore said.