Coastal property owners to pay for their views
Local authorities in Brisbane are being called on to rule out any plans for a new “view tax” on high rise apartments.
The peak body for the $100 billion strata property sector in Queensland is concerned about the persistent reports that some local authorities are looking at introducing a view tax in 2016.
Under a view tax, owners of high rise apartments with quality views would pay an additional council levy.
“Queensland continues to have more than 3% property development growth per annum, and we’re concerned that this tax works against one of the state’s biggest economic contributors being the strata sector,” Strata Community Australia (Qld) President Simon Barnard said today.
“In-fill high rise development actually reduces council costs as it usually uses existing infrastructure for sewerage and water supply, creating no additional systems management.”
“In contrast, Greenfield sites needs services run to them with considerable cost both to construct and maintain. Councils should be encouraging strata building owners not slugging them with an unjustifiable tax.”
“The simple fact is, apartments and units go up, not out, often giving property owners views, and any tax directed at these properties would have impact on current growth.”
Mr Barnard says there are now in excess of 420,000 strata titled lots in Queensland, and with these properties like apartments and units expected to account for 50% of Queensland housing supply by 2030, now is not the time to be creating taxes out of thin air.
“A view tax by nature is a cash grab; it’s essentially a punishment for those who live above sea level and that’s just unfair.”
“The Gold Coast City Council scrapped their view tax back in 2013 after mounting pressure from the local community, and we hope that’s exhibit A why this idea won’t fly.”
Despite there being examples of why a view tax won’t work out, Mr Barnard says with the population growth going into Queensland’s greater coastal communities, the sector fears some local authorities may still take the shortsighted approach and set a dangerous precedent for others to follow.
“Our coastline communities are growing rapidly as far as population is concerned and we don’t want a shortsighted approach to revenue taking shape at the helm of local authorities.”
“A view tax in one the state’s biggest coastal regions sets a precedent for all local authorities to follow, so we urge any decision makers potentially contemplating the introduction of a view tax to seriously consider the long term impact it will have on local industry.”
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