Habitat Association For Arts and Environment: To mentor and publish in the arts and environment and encourage adaptive thinking

Goto habitat web site

http://habitattownplanningforum.wordpress.com/

Author: Raymond Charles Rauscher rayc.rauscher@gmail.com

Executive Summary

The catalyst for this submission are the proposer’s (Rauscher) conclusions reached in researching the planning and financing of Australian urban growth centres at the local government level. One main conclusion is the need for the State and Federal Governments (in cooperation with peak Local Government bodies) to examine different models (including value capture planning) to best plan and finance these growth centres. It is the Federal urban growth policy making that directly affects States and Local Government bodies. This applies, for example, to the Central Coast Council, a case study focus of this submission. In summary, it is proposed that the NSW State and the Federal Government initiate an inquiry under the title State and National Inquiry into Planning and Financing Growth Centres at the Local Government Level.

Introduction

I would like introduce myself as a resident and town planner living in East Gosford, Central Coast on New South Wales. I have lived on the Central Coast since 1978 and have witnessed the actions of the three levels of government (Federal, State and Local) in planning and financing the growth of the Central Coast. I am making this submission given in particular the current challenges local councils (such as the Central Coast Council) face in planning and financing infrastructure and services in urban and regional growth areas.

I have recently completed three papers on the above subject that may assist all three levels of government in considering this submission’s proposal. The papers are as follows (with a brief comment after each, including how to access the papers):

1. Planning and Financing Growth Centres – Role of State, Federal and Local Governments (Case Study Central Coast Region, NSW) (Rauscher 18 June 2021)

• Planning Infrastructure Contributions within a Value Capture Framework (Rauscher 11 Sept 2021)

• Regional Growth Centre Renewal and Value Capture Planning – Gosford City Centre Revitalisation (GCCR) (Rauscher 2021)

1. Planning and Financing Growth Centres – Role of State, Federal and Local Governments (Case Study Central Coast Region, NSW) (Rauscher 18 June 2021)

This above paper (attached) (11p) was written in the light of the Central Coast Council’s (case study) current (2016-2021) planning and financial challenges in meeting growth centre needs. The paper was submitted to the NSW Commissioner of Public Inquiry – Central Coast Council (Term of Reference #3 – Other Matters). The paper examines planning and financing of growth centres (case study Central Coast) in the context of the roles of: State (New South Wales) (herein referred to as the State), Federal Government; and Local Government (Central Coast Council) (herein referred to as the Council).

The paper notes that one critical issue that has affected the operations of the Council (thus leading to the above Public Inquiry) is the lack of adequate funding for the Council to meet growth centre demands for infrastructure and services. The public focus since the State dismissal of the Councillors (2020) has been primarily (and acknowledged in this submission as important) on issues of: 1. the Council’s debt; 2. cost of the amalgamation of two councils into one; and, 3. responsibilities of Councillors and Council staff.

While these above issues are important and are being examined by the Commissioner (noted above) I submit the issues are broadly hinged on a general lack of funds available for the Council to finance required growth centre related infrastructure and services. A prime basis of this lack of funding is the unique features (shared with many other declared growth centres throughout Australia) of the Central Coast Region, that is:

1. Extensive and vulnerable environment of the region

2. Backlog of infrastructure and service requirements of the current population (the Central Coast being declared a State growth region in 1975 (46 years ago)

3. Continued costs of meeting settlement requirements of an incoming population (as determined usually by State urban settlement policies)

The implications of these above features to the Central Coast Council’s planning and financing of urban growth are severe and addressed in the paper. These implications may well apply to local government councils in other growth centres within Australia.

2. Planning Infrastructure Contributions within a Value Capture Framework (Rauscher 11 Sept 2021)

This paper (attached) (15p) focuses on the NSW Productivity Commissioner’s Final Report on the Review of the Infrastructure Contributions System (Dec 2020) and associated proposed legislation. The paper examines infrastructure provision within a value capture planning (VCP) framework. The paper outlines the importance for the NSW Government to adopt value capture principles in planning the provision of infrastructure and services (this would apply for instance to an area such as the Central Coast).

The paper argues that adopting a VCP framework could ensure certainty that funds are available to meet projected infrastructure and service needs stemming from development. The paper concludes that the NSW infrastructure contributions inquiry provides an ideal opportunity for the government to adopt required policies to meet future infrastructure and service needs, particularly in growth areas. The paper was recently forwarded (11 Sept 2021) to the NSW Minister for Planning (Hon. Bob Stokes) for his consideration.

3. Regional Growth Centre Renewal and Value Capture Planning – Gosford City Centre Revitalisation (GCCR) (Rauscher 2021)

This third paper outlines the background to, and provides a model for, value capture planning (VCP). The paper references the book Renewing Cities with Value Capture Planning (Rauscher 2021). Four city and regional growth areas (two in Sydney and two regional) are examined in respect to achieving through value capture policies: equitable housing; public and open spaces; and, sustainable transport. The book’s Chapter 5 (Regional Growth Centre Renewal and Value Capture Planning – Gosford City Centre Revitalisation (GCCR) is of relevance to planning and financing regional growth centres in areas such as the Central Coast. In a similar vein, Chapter 6 (Regional Capital City Renewal and Value Capture Planning – Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area (GRMA) is relative to regional capitals’ planning and financing growth areas. The book and the individual chapters noted are accessible and listed in the References at the end of this submission. Finally, and relative to the subject of this submission, there is recent legislation adopted by the Victorian Government (July 2021) where principles of value capture in growth areas are examined. That legislation is built around the principle of ‘windfall gain’ (or ‘land value uplift’) applying to land rezoned for urban growth expansion.

Conclusions and Directions

In this submission there is a central argument for the States (i.e. NSW) and the Federal Government (in cooperation with Local Government peak bodies) to examine the planning and financing of growth centres at the local government level. The submission suggests this be done in the form of a State and National Inquiry into Planning and Financing Growth Centres at the Local Government Level. It’s important to observe that it is the Federal level of planning and financing urban growth that States and Local Government (such as the Central Coast Council case example) are dependent on.  Finally, it’s suggested that NSW State and Federal Members in that State’s growth centres be engaged to support this submission’s suggestion of an inquiry of this type.  

References

1. NSW Productivity Commission (Dec 2020) NSW Productivity Commissioner’s Final Report on the Review of the Infrastructure Contributions System. NSW Productivity Commission, Sydney

• Rauscher, Ray (18 June 2021) Planning and Financing Growth Centres – Role of State, Federal and Local Governments (Case Study Central Coast Region, NSW). Attachment

• Rauscher, Ray (11 Sept 2021) Planning Infrastructure Contributions within a Value Capture Framework. Attachment

• Rauscher, Ray (2021a) Regional Capital City Renewal and Value Capture Planning – Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area (GRMA)

Regional Capital City Renewal and Value Capture Planning – Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area (GNMA)

• Rauscher, Ray (2021b) Regional Growth Centre Renewal and Value Capture Planning – Gosford City Centre Revitalisation (GCCR)

Regional Growth Centre Renewal and Value Capture Planning – Gosford City Centre Revitalisation (GCCR)

• Rauscher, Ray (2021c) Renewing Cities with Value Capture Planning. Springer Publishing, Switzerland https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348410324_Renewing_Cities_with_Value_Capture_Planning_Model_for_Achieving_Equitable_Housing_Public_and_Open_Spaces_and_Sustainable_Transport

Contact

Dr Ray Rauscher

U4 #25 Waratah St

East Gosford 2250

Tel. 4311 6674 or M. 043 500 4844

rayc.rauscher@gmail.com

www.habitatassociation.com.a

Date 15 Sept 2021

Submission to Commissioner

Notice of Public Inquiry – Central Coast Council

Planning and Financing Growth Centres – Role of State, Federal and Local Governments (Case Study Central Coast Region, NSW)

Submission Focus: Term of Reference #3

To:

Ms Roslyn McCulloch

Commissioner

Office of Local Government

Locked Bag 3018

Nowra 2541

centralcoastcouncil.publicinquiry@olg.nsw.gov.au

From:

Dr. Ray Rauscher

U4 #25 Waratah St East Gosford 2250

rayc.rauscher@gmail.com  

M 043 500 4844

H 4311 6674                                                                           Dated: 18 June 2021

Contents

Background

Introduction

1. Local Government Rates and State Cost Shifting to Local Government

1.1 Local Government Rates

1.2 State Cost Shifting to Local Government

2. State and Council Planning and Financing a Growth Centre

2.1 Major Open Space and Wildlife Corridor Systems

2.2. Local and Regional Roads

2.3 Bus Transport and Bus Shelters

2.4 Transit Ways

2.5 Bikeways

2.6 Gosford Transport Interchange

2.7 Footpath and Curb and Gutter Provisions

2.8 Cultural and Community Service Facilities

2.9 Heritage Planning

2.10 Library and Recreation Facilities

2.11 Central Coast CBDs Main Streets Upgrading

3. Local Government Reform and Central Coast Growth Centre Costs

3.1 Local Government Reform Process

3.2 State Significant Areas

3.3 Central Coast Region Gaining City Status

3.4 New Approaches to Funding Growth Centres Such as the Central Coast

3.5 Governance and Elections Review

Conclusions

Background

I make this submission to the Commissioner of the Public Inquiry into the Central Coast Council (NSW) (herein called the Council). On the basis of Terms of Reference of the Inquiry I wish to address several items under Terms of Reference #3, ‘other matter that warrants mention particularly those that may impact on the effective administration of Council’s functions and responsibilities or the community’s confidence in the Council being able to do so’.

In addressing the #3 Term of Reference I submit that one critical issue that has affected the operations of the Council (leading to this Inquiry) is the implications of planning and financing for the Region as a Growth Centre. The public focus (and the rightful seeking of information by all parties) since the dismissal of the Councillors by the State has been primarily on: the Council’s debt; cost of the amalgamation of two councils into one; and, responsibilities of Councillors and Council staff. While these are important and central questions I submit they are broadly hinged on a general lack of funds available for this Council (given a number of uniquely regional features) to be addressed herein.

The planning and financing of growth centres is examined in the context of the roles of State (New South Wales) and Local Government (Central Coast Council). It is acknowledged that the Federal Government of Australia plays a significant role across its Parliament and Departments in planning and financing growth centres. The submission, however, focuses on the Terms of Reference of the Inquiry.

The submission is written in the light of the Central Coast Council’s current position (May 2021) of a budget deficit of $547m (a major part of which was brought over from the pre-amalgamated councils). Any review by the State (via the Commissioner’s inquiry work and recommendations to the State) in the planning and financing of a growth centre such as the Central Coast (thus Central Coast Council) needs to reference the Federal Government’s role and responsibilities.

Introduction

In the development of any urbanizing area (city or region) there are fundamental planning and financing tools. At various times the governance bodies contribute different expertise. The starting point for any review is the Central Coast Region being declared a NSW Regional Growth Centre in 1975 (Central Coast Structure Plan (DoP 1975).

Population

In examining growth centre planning and finance, the significance of population growth on the Central Coast needs to be first addressed. Population growth on the Central Coast has been a major issue since 1975 (noted in the above Structure Plan release). Hence the region has experienced growth from 70,000 residents (1975) to the current population of 354,915 (February 2021) and a projected population of 414,615 in 2036 (additional increase of 59,700 people as noted above) (references: idcommunity demographic resources https://forecast.id.com.au/central-coast-nsw and Central Coast Planning Strategy 2036 (DPIE 2018).

Projecting ahead 20 years from 2036 to 2056, this author estimates a likely population will be close to 500,000 (½ million) (an increase of 85,385 from the projected 2036 population). In summary from the 2021 population (354,915) there could be an increase of 145,085 people on the Central Coast by 2056 (that is within 35 years). To examine this projection within a timeline looking backwards from 2021 to 1986 (35 years) is not considered by most as a long timeline. In conclusion, population growth and the challenges it presents to the State and Central Coast Council’s planning and financing is a core and significant factor for the public and governance.

The aspect of sustainability (environment, social and economic) is also essential to address by all parties (including the Commissioner of this Public Inquiry). What choice within governance decision making (State and Local) will be offered to Central Coast residents in determining an optimum and sustainable population (and cost to service that population) for the Central Coast?  There are three major factors within this population question that will need to be considered in any review by the Commissioner now and State and Local Government at all times, namely:

1. Quality of life of all Central Coast individuals (including implications of Covid-19 pandemic)

2. The movement of a portion of Greater Sydney’s growing population (under State planning timeframes) to the Central Coast

3. Impact of population increases on the environment of the Central Coast

Growth Centres

It’s acknowledged that the Central Coast Region is one of five NSW urban growth centres within and adjacent to Greater Sydney. The other four centres are: South West Sydney; Western Sydney; Illawarra-Wollongong; and, Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area. Planning and financing for all growth centres includes, and to herein be addressed:

1. Local Government Rates and State Cost Shifting to Local Government

2. State and Council Planning and Financing a Growth Centre

3. Local Government Reform and Central Coast Growth Centre Costs

1. Local Government Rates and State Cost Shifting to Local Government

There are two questions here (rates and cost shifting) for the State and the Council to address:

1.1 Local Government Rates

The submission acknowledges a decision this month by the New South Wales Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) (in determining Council’s request) for a rate rise of 15% (an increase above the 2% allowable annual rate rise increment as set by the State) over three consecutive years. Given the harmonizing of rates across the whole of the Central Coast (as required by the State), the rate rise will be significantly higher than the 15% within in the pre-amalgamated Gosford City area. The harmonization adds an additional 27.1% average increase in rates in the old Gosford City area. The rates in general will fall within the pre-amalgamated Wyong Shire area.

The rates question is acknowledged to be a complex and most significant one for Council and all ratepayers of the Central Coast. Coupled with the rates question is the issue of asset sales to raise funds to bring the debt down (noted above) as is currently proceeding  Both of these two issues and several others are core items in respect to meeting costs of a regional growth centre such as the Central Coast. The issues are especially important given the planned regional population increase (approximately 59,700 to 2036, only 15 years from 2021) under State residential release area planning.)

1.2 State Cost Shifting to Local Government

Cost shifting signals a council carrying financial impositions by the State. The cost shifting is within a context of a council existing as a statutory body created by the State. The council’s councillors, for example, can be dismissed by the State (as occurred with the Central Coast Council in 2020). Thus cost shifting to local government, as one issue, needs review, including (for example) in areas of:  waste charges; and, costs associated with State owned land and water assets such as Tuggerah Lakes and their foreshores. The Lakes and foreshores, for example, require continue Council upgrading, recreation use provisions and maintenance (i.e. dredging and stabilisation of The Entrance Channel). Finally, at the same time local government in Australia has no constitutional recognition to better position itself in areas such as cost shifting. It’s understood that most Australians favour a local government constitutional recognition.

2. State and Council Planning and Financing a Growth Centre

There are a number of questions for the State and Council to address under planning and financing of a growth centre as follows:

2.1 Major Open Space and Wildlife Corridor Systems

Major open space provisions such as the Coastal Open Space System (COSS) needs review to determine a greater funding role of the State and Federal Governments (including planning, additional land acquisitions, use of and maintenance of these spaces). In addition, the State needs to examine how conservation and wildlife corridors can be further established, expanded and maintained (see State Government’s North Wyong Shire Structure Plan 2012). This is especially so in the growth development release areas such as Lake Munmorah and the extension of the COSS program into all of the former Wyong Shire area of the Central Coast.

2.2. Local and Regional Roads

Many of the roads on the Central Coast are designated ‘local’ by the State (thus funded by the Council). A State review of those roads that could more logically be designated ‘regional’ is needed. In addition, many roads designated ‘regional’ and maintained by Council under agreement with the State (with a subsidy to Council) needs to also be reviewed. The State indicated via a press release on 25 Jan 2021 (Coast News) that it will be reviewing these road designations throughout the State to (quote) ‘ease the associated costs to councils (and thus ratepayers)’.

2.3 Bus Transport and Bus Shelters

The State, given its provision of leasing new buses to Central Coast bus companies (as well as the State collection of fares and provision of information plinths) should also take over the role of providing bus shelters.  There is a pressing need for bus shelters over the entire Central Coast. Apparently the Council does not have the financial ability to provide and maintain these shelters. In one suburb alone, Springfield, there are 18 bus stops in the main bus route (total stops covering both directions) and only 2 shelters. This situation exists in a suburb that was targeted by State zoning for rapid development in the 1970s (50 years ago). It’s surmised that the Central Coast residents’ low bus patronage (excluding school runs) is partly a result of poor bus infrastructure such as appropriate and modern shelters (i.e. containing lighting, etc.).

2.4 Transit Ways

It’s noted the State has funded (around year 2000) 3 new Transit Ways (Parramatta to growth centres of Liverpool, Rouse Hill and Blacktown). This included state of the art bus shelters (with time boards, bike racks, adequate seating, night lights and emergency telephone). There are many opportunities for the State to undertake Transit Ways on the Central Coast. The first such route would be from Woy Woy via Gosford, Erina, Bateau Bay, Tuggerah, Wyong, North Lakes and Wyee. It is understood that the Central Coast Sustainable Transport Group submitted this proposal to the NSW Minister for Transport in 2020.

2.5 Bikeways

There appears to be a major need for a greater take up by the State in financing bikeways and related infrastructure on the Central Coast. The current expenditure on bikeways is inadequate in meeting the bikeway plans as adopted by the Council.

2.6 Gosford Transport Interchange

The Gosford Transport Interchange needs a total upgrade similar to Newcastle Interchange. This is particularly the case for the bus waiting area as this area is antiquated and totally inadequate for a growth centre.  Upgrades such as electronic bus time signage, seating and commuter protection from wet weather needs attention in a master plan. This would include finance from the State and/or private public partnerships (PPPs) (such as the Newcastle example cited).

2.7 Footpath and Curb and Gutter Provisions

The State needs to consider assisting Council in undertaking footpath and curb and gutter provisions throughout the urban areas. It is understood that there is a Council 50 to 60 year backlog (mostly in established areas) in the provision of this essential infrastructure.  The Council budget is miniscule compared to this backlog, suggesting some urban areas will never see adequate footpaths and curb and guttering. In respect, for a growth area designated in 1975 as noted in the introduction, this situation would appear to be a dysfunction of governance provisions. The issue thus needs a partnership solution between the Council and the State.

2.8 Cultural and Community Service Facilities

Cultural and Community Service facilities on the Central Coast need to receive better State and Federal Governments support in planning, financing and upkeep. This upkeep of facilities happens extensively in Sydney where State cultural facilities, for example, are readily State funded. This includes Sydney’s museums, culture, performing arts centres, and the recent (2021) $40m upgrade of the Wharf Theatre in The Rocks.

There is a recent case study on the inability of State, Federal and Local governance to engage the Central Coast community to build a Central Coast Performing Arts Centre (PAC). The project was promoted over 20 years (2000-2020) by the local community. The failure to see this facility eventuate (as reported in the local newspapers The Advocate and Coast News over several years) appears to be attributed to a lack of agreement (in site location and finance) by the State, Federal and Council.  As a result it’s suggested the Central Coast community’s confidence in the three levels of governance working together was diminished. A review of projects such as PAC would be valuable for future need provisions (often generated from the community level). 

2.9 Heritage Planning

The State needs a major role in heritage planning (including signage) in centres such as Gosford City Centre and other major and minor Central Coast CBDs.

2.10 Library and Recreation Facilities

In respect to Gosford CBD library (replacing the existing one) it has taken Council (given funding shortages) over 25 years (1996-2021) to plan, allocate finance, and agree on a site. On 17 Feb 2021 the Council (via the Administrator) agreed to finance the new library. This long timeline suggests Council’s inability to be able to finance some major service provisions such as libraries and recreation facilities and thus needing review. Central Coast residents note, for example, the State is assisting Greater Sydney in the rebuilding, upgrading and operation of the NSW State Library and numerous sporting complexes. The State has financed the new Parramatta Stadium (2020) and has put forth plans to rebuild other Sydney stadiums.

2.11 Central Coast CBDs Main Streets Upgrading

The State may need to expand areas of financial assistance and consider joint programs with Council to upgrade many Central Coast CBDs and main streets. These include, for example, CBDs of Woy Woy, Ettalong, Umina, North Gosford, East Gosford, Erina, Bateau Bay, Long Jetty, The Entrance, Tuggerah, Wyong, Toukley, Budgewoi and Northlakes. This could include a review of funding for upgrading and provision of traffic calming, public amenities (i.e. toilets), open spaces, infrastructure, rest areas, landscaping, passive recreation, children’s play areas, seating etc.).

3. Local Government Reform and Central Coast Growth Centre Costs

There are several questions for the State and Council to address under local government reform and the continuing Central Coast growth centre costs, as follows:

3.1 Local Government Reform Process

On a broad basis the State Government may need to review its local government reform processes. The State for example commenced its local government reform investigations in 2012 (main document being Destination 2036). It’s noted that this process commenced before the State legislated amalgamations in 2016 within the Local Government (Council Amalgamations) Proclamation 2016.

The State’s amalgamation steps affected the Central Coast councils of Gosford and Wyong. It is understood in effect that the two councils were amalgamated (as a Central Coast Council) via an ultimatum by the State (as reported in the Sydney and Central Coast papers in late 2015). It was reported that the Gosford Mayor’s delegation to the Minister for Local Government at the time was informed the State would amalgamate the two councils were Gosford Council not to agree to amalgamation. In general the resident sentiment on the Central Coast (then and now in 2020) appears to be that the residents were not effectively and fully engaged by the State in its amalgamation review process. That said, the State may need to review the full implications of the amalgamation, including related costings incurred by the new Council, extended finance impositions on ratepayers now and into the future (noted above), and State to local government cost shifting (also noted above). Finally, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) needs to examine reforms of local government from that tri-governmental level. This group is chaired by the Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison and has equal sitting rights with the States afforded to the Australian Local Government Association.

3.2 State Significant Areas

A review may be needed on the implications (i.e. planning and finance at State and Council levels) of the State designation of ‘State Significant Areas’. Gosford City Centre, for example, is designated a revitalisation area (under the State’s Gosford City Centre Revitalisation Program 2018). There are planning and finance implications of this designation for Gosford CBD. A wider public understanding of this State planning process is needed, given there are  other major development areas that would warrant State initiated (in cooperation with Council) revitalization attention. These may include centres within the following urban growth corridors:  Woy Woy-Umina Corridor; Somersby to Erina Corridor, Tuggerah-Wyong to Warnervale Corridor, The Entrance-Long Jetty and Bateau Bay Corridor, and Northlakes to Lake Munmorah Corridor.

3.3 Central Coast Region Gaining City Status

The loss of the designation of ‘Gosford City’ under the amalgamation noted above may need to be addressed by the State. City status, for example, has a range of financial, state, national and international advantages to capitalise on.  The State, it is noted, refers within its State Significant revitalisation plans for Gosford CBD (see above 3.2) as plans for the ‘Gosford City Centre’.

The State may wish (in cooperation with Council) to establish and fund a ‘Committee to Investigate Central Coast City Status’. The committee would investigate all implications (pluses and minuses) of the potential for the Central Coast achieving city status. Such a committee could spend up to two years to complete its task (including engaging the electorate and working within the Central Coast Council chambers). In time the Committee (in cooperation with Council) would present a report for comment to the electorate and then to the State. The report would include comments on how other urban and regional areas have achieved city status.

In addition, it is important to ensure democratic procedures are used in consideration of city status. A referendum on city status could be considered for the 2024 NSW local government elections. Were the results to indicate a majority in favour of city status the implementation of that move would again be the responsibility of the Committee to Investigate Central Coast City Status. The referendum could offer names for such a city, including for example: City of Gosford Wyong, or City of the Central Coast. Within a city designation there could then be designated a number of city centres for planning and financing, including:  Gosford Centre (potentially keeping its current State designated ‘regional capital’), Woy Woy-Umina Centre, Tuggerah-Wyong Centre, The Entrance-Long Jetty Centre, Toukley Centre, Northlakes Centre, and so forth.

3.4 New Approaches to Funding Growth Centres Such as the Central Coast

Despite the development of the Central Coast (as a designated Growth Centre), there appears inadequate financing (Federal, State and Council levels) of a range of affordable and social housing, open and public spaces and sustainable transport (examples noted above). New approaches to funding costs related to urban development, especially in growth centres, will also need scrutiny. There needs, for example, to be linked four (4) year budgets of the three levels of government – Australian, State and Local. This budgeting arrangement would give certainty to urban planning and financial needed at that third level of local government. The current short term continual and expensive grants competition within the State-local government framework (often highly politicized) needs to be reformed.

A State review of this financing challenge could incorporate looking at expanding the band of urban development finance approaches. One system widely used in other countries and occasionally in Australia (i.e. in transport projects such as the planned Aerotropolis in Southwest Sydney and Metro Sydney) is Value Capture Planning (VCP). The subject covers developer provisions and land value capture levies. See a current book (2021) on the subject of VCP entitled Renewing Cities with Value Capture Planning (Rauscher 2021). The book develops a VCP model and applies this model to four growth areas (case study in brackets): Greater Sydney Inner City (Waterloo-Redfern); Greater Sydney Middle City (Canterbury-Bankstown); Central Coast (Gosford City Centre); and, Newcastle Greater Metropolitan Area (Newcastle West End).

3.5 Governance and Elections Review

There have been recent suggestions by Central Coast residents over the 2020 and 2021 period (see Coast News) and by the previous Council Administrator (Dick Persson) of the need for a local government governance and elections review. The governance of Council (including number of councillors, ward systems, and structures for engagement of the public) is an important review area given the Central Coast is a growth centre. The Administrator has recommended a referendum for the coming Sept 2021 election with one option being to reduce the number of councillors from 12 to 9 and wards from five to three. This decision by the Administrator at the time appears to be premature until all reports (including the Commissioner’s) to State government are complete and recommendations considered.

A wide review of the Central Coast as a Growth Centre (especially for planning and financing) is critical (as noted in above examples).  A review could tie into the State’s local government reform process noted earlier (see above 3.1). The review could also tie in the Federal Government’s review of local government planning and finance. This could include consideration of constitutional recognition (1.2 above). Finally, there are many other alternatives that should be considered in reviewing governance for planning and financing growth on the Central Coast and other growth centres (noted in the introduction above). Some of these alternatives relating to Greater Sydney and growth centres are addressed in the recent book Cities in Global Transition (Rauscher 2017 Chapter 18).

Conclusions

There are several conclusions drawn from this submission for the Commissioner to consider, including:

1. Many of the suggestions within this submission could apply to other NSW council areas (especially nominated Greater Sydney and Regions Growth Centres as noted).

• A full State review (in consultation with the Australian and local governments) of the position of local government in regards to planning and financing growth and development is needed. This would include examining Federal, State, and local governments’ roles as noted in numerous examples covered within this submission.

• An examination is needed of Federal, State and local government sustainable population projections (as noted in the introduction and including post covid-19 urban planning implications).

• Any State review needs to project ahead to the year 2036 and 2056. These are the years the NSW State, for example, is using in its forward planning (as noted).

• The State will need to carefully and comprehensively consider all recommendations by the Commissioner for this Inquiry and the range of suggestions contained in the submissions likely to be made.

In closing, these issues of planning and financing of growth and development at the local government level have been raised for many years and in many other localities of the State and nation. The importance of these issues, for example, has been expressed by a full spectrum of Central Coast interests. These interests cover residents, businesses, elected officials and institutions.

I trust the Commissioner’s report will provide the State with needed directions of change within the parameters of the Inquiry’s third term of reference (that this submission focused on) in addition to the two other terms of reference.

Respectfully submitted

_______________________________                                  _______________

Dr. Ray Rauscher                                                                   Dated 18 June 2021

U4 #25 Waratah St

East Gosford 2250

rayc.rauscher@gmail.com  

M 043 500 4844

H 4311 6674 

References

Department of Planning (1975) Central Coast Structure Plan. State Government, Sydney

Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Environment (DPIE) (2018) Central Coast Planning Strategy 2036. State Government, Sydney

NSW Government (2012) Destination 2036. NSW State Government, Sydney

NSW Government (2012) North Wyong Shire Structure Plan.  NSW State Government, Sydney

NSW Government (2016) Local Government (Council Amalgamations) Proclamation 2016. NSW State Government, Sydney

NSW Government (2018) Gosford City Centre Revitalisation Program 2018. NSW State Government, Sydney

Rauscher, Ray (2017) Cities in Global Transition. Springer Publishers, Switzerland

Rauscher, Ray (2021) Renewing Cities with Value Capture Planning. Springer Publishers, Switzerland

By David Holland

When markets are invented that enable a purchaser to buy not only a good quality product, and the knowledge that the product has been produced in an environment of social justice and sustainable practices, there is hope for poorer farmers in the world to have more income security.

Security that involves better profits for the effort expended and better outcomes for producing the next crop planted by the farmer. These ideals in conjunction with the quality of the product are communicated to the consumer by an organised certification system.

Systems like FSC and PEFC have been trail blazing the way with forest products and over the years for coffee and banana farmers as well through the Fair Trade certification for coffee products and bananas through the FLO.

With imagination similar schemes could be implemented for other products that are exported from third world counties to the developed world where consumers can afford a premium for the social component of the product.

However, there should be some caution in developing the market to widely. The force of commercialism tends to devalue the social and sustainable practice commodity component of the product and the price of the commodity tends to fall as the social commodity component becomes the norm.  (Renard 2003; Taylor 2005)

It could be then said that the exercise of providing security for the farmer has then been achieved, but social engineers should always be wary of the market, it has a tendance to do what Adam Smith pronounced, and that is that it always finds the lowest price a person is willing to pay for a service or product.

 

Reference

Renard, M. C. (2003), Fair trade: Quality, market and conventions. Journal of Rural Studies, 19(1), 87 96, Retrieved from http://ac.els-cdn.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/S0743016702000517/1-s2.0-S0743016702000517-main.pdf?_tid=5e177a6a-49c3-11e7-a49b-00000aab0f6b&acdnat=1496649090_99cba8c98206f21fe6864909487a559e, June 2017.

Taylor, P. L. (2005), In the market but not of it: Fair trade coffee and forest stewardship council certification as market-based social change. World Development, 33(1), 129 147, Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0305750X04001883, June 2017.