LOCAL RESIDENTS ALARMED BY BAIRD GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS

Ms Julia Finn, State Member for Granville today said local residents of apartments and units were could lose their home to developers under Baird Government laws that strip the right to home ownership away from individuals.

Hosting a public meeting in Merrylands with Peter Primrose, Shadow Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, residents heard of a Baird Government proposal that if 75 per cent of owners in an apartment block agree to sell, the remaining owners will have no choice but to sell up.

“The Government’s changes will hit people living in any of the 75,000 residential strata schemes such as units, shared accommodation and even retirement villages – including here in Merrylands, Granville, Guildford, Westmead, Wentworthville and Greystanes,” Ms Finn said.

“The law would overturn in one fell stroke longstanding property rights, forcibly evicting people from their homes if three quarters of owners in the same building want to develop or sell up.

“The NSW Opposition says the changes in the Strata Schemes Development Bill 2015 will force home owners to sell against their will, allowing developers to kick out the elderly, and families for profit. The Opposition has pledged to fight the legislation.

Mr Primrose said “If you own residential property in NSW you should have the right to decide how and when you sell it, not be forced to leave when a developer tells you.”

“The Baird Government is touting this legislation under the guise of urban renewal but in reality it’s nothing more than a charter for developers to grab valuable land in NSW and make a killing out of it.

“Once again the Baird Government has chosen property developers over mum and dad owners and the elderly who stand to lose out.

“The law should not be used to take away people’s homes, which they own, so developers can make money.”

“Home ownership in NSW will become less secure.”