Industry unites to fight Victorian rezoning tax

Victoria’s state authorities has made a variety of modifications to its Windfall Gains Tax prior to it being launched to Parliament, however business teams say the transfer is the “wrong tax at the wrong time” that can have an enormous damaging influence on housing affordability. 

The tax, initially announced as part of the Victorian government’s 2021-22 budget, will see worth will increase from rezoning selections be taxed at 50 per cent if the uplift is above $500,000, phased in from $100,000.

Changes to the beforehand introduced tax embody residential land that features a residence being exempt from the tax, whereas farmland that comprises a house can even be exempt up to two hectares.

Exemptions can even be supplied for charities if the land is used for charitable functions for a minimum of 15 years after rezoning, whereas the graduation of the tax has been pushed again by a yr, to July 2023.

The Windfall Gains Tax can be calculated based mostly on valuations by the Valuer-General on the pre-zoning and post-zoning values of land.

Treasurer Tim Pallas stated income from the tax would assist fund Victorian faculties, hospitals and public transport.

“We’ve consulted with industry and made the changes that are appropriate and fair, and will ensure the community benefits, as well as landowners,” Mr Pallas stated in an announcement.

While welcoming the modifications, a coalition of business teams comprising the Property Council of Australia, Urban Development Institute of Australia, Housing Industry Association and Master Builders Victoria are united in a marketing campaign to cease the invoice from continuing via Parliament.

The business teams say the tax is the nineteenth new or elevated property tax to be launched by Premier Daniel Andrews’ authorities because it was elected in 2014 and follows will increase in stamp responsibility and land tax introduced within the May state price range.

Victorian govt director of the Property Council, Danni Hunter, stated her place had not modified from when the tax was first floated, saying it was the “wrong tax at the wrong time”.

“Five months on and after another three devastating lockdowns, our economic and social crisis has only worsened, and the last thing we need as we emerge from the world’s longest lockdown is another tax,” Ms Hunter stated.

“We are calling on MPs from all sides to do the right thing by Victorian families, jobs and investors and oppose this tax so we can get on with our important economic recovery and get Victoria moving again.”

Housing Industry Association Victoria govt director Fiona Nield stated the brand new impost would have an effect on housing affordability, with the worth of a vacant lot in Geelong to improve by $53,000.

“The tax will take a disproportionate share of property value from landowners that are in fact helping to support the growth in housing supply that keeps affordability in check across regional Victoria,” Ms Nield stated.

“New taxes like this will impact land prices and home buyers at all levels at a time when housing affordability has fallen, particularly in the regions.”

Modelling by the UDIA confirmed the tax would scale back housing provide by greater than 6,600 dwellings, together with greater than 300 inexpensive, social or disabled entry houses.

UDIA Victoria chief govt Matthew Kandelaars stated it could value greater than 20,000 direct jobs, 100,000 oblique jobs and cut back financial output by almost $7.5 billion.

“It’s the value generated from a rezoning that builds more Victorian homes, creates and sustains thousands of local jobs and builds new communities,” Mr Kandelaars stated.

“The city growth business makes a big contribution to Victoria, together with creating inexpensive and social housing for households in want.

“If development stops then housing supply dries up and prices skyrocket, and this will have a detrimental impact on Melbourne’s liveability.”