ALP Backflips on Controversial Growth Areas Tax

Justin MaddenTHE LABOR Party has buckled to mounting voter and media pressure, related to a perceived unfair tax imposed on homeowners in Melbourne’s growth areas.

Footballer turned Labor Party Planning Minister Justin Madden had previously expected land owners in some Melbourne areas to pay a $95,000 per hectare tax, which would pay for things such as infrastructure and roads, and attract more development (or developers).

It’s been argued the government, or major developers which will benefit from from the investment, should flip the expected $11 billion bill – rather than profit from it.

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New $300 Million Public Housing Focussed Estate, For Carlton

Two of Australia’s major property groups have entered into a joint venture to deliver the largest and most environmentally sustainable public housing redevelopment in Victoria.

The Australand and St Hilliers consortium is the Victorian Government’s preferred choice to deliver the multi-million dollar redevelopment of public housing in Carlton.

St Hilliers is both an equity participant in the development as well as the preferred contractor. Citta Property Group will jointly manage the redevelopment of the project with Australand. The consortium is expected to finalise all development documentation by the end of July.

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Melbourne City Council to Consider Shifting East Melbourne Suburb Border, to Appease Angry New Residents

THE Melbourne City Council will meet on October 6 to discuss shifting the suburb boundary of East Melbourne, to include a 19-level unique glass apartment building, built over train tracks, near Federation Square.

Residents have started moving into the prestigious project, which was marketed by developer Becton as “ONE EAST MELBOURNE” – but is in fact in an area defined as ‘Melbourne’, and arguably worth a lot less.

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Melbourne Metro Train Tunnel, and New Parkville Station, Announced by Government

John BrumbyPLANS to unveil a $100 million underground rail line that would better link the Melbourne CBD to the northern and western suburbs, were unveiled today by the State government.

The new line will link Flinders Street and Melbourne Central stations to a new underground station at Parkville, which will serve hospitals and the University of Melbourne. A train link will also go to Footscray, which has been earmarked as the possible stop for an Airport-to-city link, using an industrial-only train line that extends from near Tullamarine, to St Albans.

Below is the State Government statement about the proposal:

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Commission Flats Earmarked for Melbourne CBD Gateway Site

A LANDMARK CBD building – formerly the Department of Defence Drill Hall – will be developed into Melbourne’s next social housing project.
 
The State Government has sold the prominent 74-year old Art Deco building – with its distinguished double storey pillars – to social housing developer Melbourne Affordable Housing which plans to build an 8-level, 59-unit tower on the triangle site.
 
At an estimated cost of about $30 million, the “gateway” development is mooted for the junction where Victoria Street meets Therry Street, opposite the Ibis Hotel, and the Carlton suburb border.
 

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New Victorian Urban Growth Boundary Proposed: Government Statements and Fast Facts

The public and community have been invited to make submissions on the proposed changes to Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) flagged last December in the Brumby Labor Government’s Melbourne @ 5 Million strategy.
 

Planning Minister Justin Madden today released the draft UGB as part of the Brumby Labor Government’s Delivering Melbourne’s Newest Sustainable Communities package.

The draft UGB also incorporates the proposed alignment of the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road, proposed alignment of the Regional Rail Link and the creation of two new grassland protected areas in Melbourne’s west.

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