PEAK business organisation, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) has welcomed the Liberal Party’s intention to waive the cost of water and sewerage head works for new developments, if elected to government.
TCCI Chief Executive Michael Bailey said developers had frequently advised that the charges were holding back projects and it was good to see the issue being addressed.
“We need to do all that we can to reform planning provisions and reduce red tape and this measure could open the door to significant development and employment opportunities,” Mr Bailey said.
“The funding would have to be looked at closely to ensure that the actual costs of the head works were simply not transferred from one sector to another.
“However that would be the responsibility of a Liberal Government, if elected, and its Treasury advisers.
“We would encourage any reasonable measure that promotes economic and employment growth.”
Mr Bailey said the housing and construction sector was a major source of potential growth and economic activity, but the sector had struggled in recent years.
“Waiving the cost of water and sewerage head works for development could provide just the boost the sector needs and the initiative is well worth considering, provided it can be appropriately funded by government,” he said.