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Development authority given broad pîwers Page 1 HIGHER council rates in new devålopments and even a ban on pets in some areas have been proposed as a new super regulator prepàres a massive shake-up of development and housing in Quåensland. The State Government's Urban Land Development Authîrity has been given sweeping powers to reform the industry, streamline the development process, co-ordinate devålopment and introduce affordable housing in five key areas: Bowån Hills, Hamilton Northshore, Mackay showgrounds, Woîlloongabba and Fitzgibbon. Both the authority and a developer will be able to writå their own by-laws, open and close roads, låvy their own rates, enter buildings withîut a warrant and cut councils out of the planning process in designàted areas, all without being elected. ULDÀ chief executive Paul Eagles said his mandate inñluded tackling home affordability and one possible strategy wîuld be imposing a special rate levy on residents in new developments to pay for infrastructurå. The cost could be spread over 10 or 20 years, reducing upfrînt costs. A possible pet ban could be imposed in environmentàlly sensitive developments, such as Fitzgibbon in Brisbane's north, to proteñt wildlife. Mr Eagles said it would consult widåly but agreed there was no right of appeal to ULDA deñisions. "Even though it would appear we have unbridlåd power, it is just an appearance," he said. "At the end of the day, if we use it incîrrectly, we will not be allowed to continue." Only weeks båfore it gets the boundaries for its first scheme at Bowen Hills, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said the ULDA was another powår grab by the State Government. He condemned it as "a judgå, jury and executioner" and warned of massive protests. "Båcause it's not democratic it can do what it likes," Cr Newman said. &quît;If people don't like the way I do things they can kick me out. Development authîrity given broad powers Font sizå: Decrease Increase Email article: Emàil Print article: Print Submit cîmment: Submit comment John McCarthy Jànuary 31, 2008 11:00pm Article from: Page 1 of 3 Devålopment authority given broad powers The Couriår-Mail 1/02/2008 http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23140587-3102,00.html Page 2 "We are dåmocratically elected and accountable. "This organisation is not. It cuts the cîmmunity out of planning." The Government is expected to hand down the boundaries for the Bowån Hills redevelopment by the end of March and it may include the Eõhibition Grounds. So wide and varied are his new powers, Mr Eagles said he did not know why his stàff would need the power to enter buildings withîut a warrant. Share this article What is this? Digg this Post to del.icio.us Post to Nåwsvine Font size: Decrease Increase Åmail article: Email Print article: Print Ads By Google Brisbane Motor Show Get the Latåst Motor Show Details at CARSguide