March 17th, 2008

GOVERNMENT DECISION PUSHES UP VALLEY LAND PRICES

The State Government decision on the Traralgon by-pass route has pushed Latrobe Valley land prices up by some $10,000 an allotment, according to The Nationals’ MP Peter Hall.

“At a time when the State Government is making a huge fuss about providing more land in Melbourne, it is making decisions that are having the opposite effect in places like the Latrobe Valley,” Mr Hall said.

The Eastern Victoria MP put a question to the State Planning Minister in Parliament this week, seeking a commitment from the State Government that it would attempt to lower the costs of residential lots in regional areas.

“Unfortunately the Minister responded in such a rambling and ineffectual manner that the President of the House ordered him to stop debating and take his seat,” Mr Hall said.

“It is unclear from the Minister’s response what the Government is doing for regional Victoria. What is clear is that some 3,000 housing lots will not be available because the State Government has decided it needs to protect about 2 percent of the readily available coal resources in the Latrobe Valley.”
Mr Hall said the Government had demonstrated “callous disregard” for the needs of the Latrobe Valley.

Mr Hall said the result of the Government’s decision on the Traralgon by-pass was increased land prices in the Latrobe Valley of $10,000 an allotment.

“The government announced last week that it would fast-track planning scheme amendments within the urban growth boundaries of Melbourne and the Premier has promised that residential land prices in Melbourne will fall by up to $10,000 per allotment.

“Given that has been promised for Melbourne, why can’t this Government look to encourage growth in regional areas such as the Latrobe Valley? It seems that this Government focuses almost entirely on the needs of the metropolitan areas, while the regional communities are a forgotten species,” Mr Hall said.

Media contact:                  Peter Hall      (03) 5174 7066   or 0427 747 066