Committee Function
A Select Committee of the Legislative Council has been established to inquire into matters related to the compulsory acquisition of properties as part of the State Government’s North-South corridor upgrade, including:
(a) Current acquisition policies and procedures of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) including a comparison of the effectiveness of these policies compared to past practices of DPTI and the Rehousing Committee;
(b) The role of the Crown Solicitor’s Office in the acquisition process;
(c) The effect the compulsory acquisition process has had on dispossessed owners, including:
I. their ability to purchase another property;
ii. changes to personal, financial and psychological circumstances;
(d) DPTI’s requirement to negotiate, in good faith, with dispossessed owners;
(e) The fairness of compensation offers made to dispossessed owners;
(f) The use and relevance of market value when considering compensation;
(g) Valuation practices and methodology used in determining compensation;
(h) The ability for dispossessed owners to exercise their legal rights; and
(i) Any other related matters.