Report shows way to better land acquisition processes

6/3/02
A review of Main Roads processes for acquiring land needed for the Graham Farmer Freeway Tunnel recommends increased openness in negotiations with landowners.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the review she had commissioned from barrister Ken Pettit had found no substance to allegations of improper practices by Main Roads officers.
Ms MacTiernan said Mr Pettit had recommended reforms that would clarify the responsibility of valuers and lessen the distress caused to affected property owners by compensation negotiations.
"Overall, Mr Pettit found that Main Roads acted properly and fairly and that its negotiation processes had improved during the life of the project," the Minister said.
"Most of the review's recommendations are aimed at making the process more transparent and clearly understood, both by valuers and the property owners involved."
These include:

• establishing a committee with representatives of relevant Government agencies and the valuation profession to prepare clear guidelines on compensation under the Land Administration Act;

• ensuring that valuation reports comply closely with the relevant section of the Land Administration Act;

• Main Roads providing land owners and their valuers with the background information it provides to its own valuers; and

• ensuring that offers to land owners clearly identify what compensation is included in the offer.

"It is important that the acquisition process considers the legitimate interests of both the land owner and of the taxpayer in reaching a fair price," Ms MacTiernan said.
She said copies of the report would be made available to relevant Government agencies and professional bodies and to the Legislative Council's Public Administration and Finance Committee, which was currently reviewing Government compensation processes.
Minister's office: 9213 6400