Land disputes spark growing concerns near major new development project
- Replies 8
The development of the Western Sydney Airport has been a topic of much discussion and anticipation, promising to bring new opportunities and growth to the region.
However, for many residents living near the proposed site, the project has become a source of distress and financial uncertainty.
The NSW government's approach to acquiring land for the airport and associated infrastructure has left several families.
Scott Lutiger's story is a poignant example of these residents' turmoil.
The government offered his family's seven-and-a-half-acre property in Bradfield, which has been part of their lives since 1970, a mere $468,000—an amount Scott describes as 'disgusting.'
The Lutigers, who have deep roots in the area, are now confronted with the reality of being forced to part with their land for a fraction of its potential value.
Personal struggles compound the Lutigers' hardship.
Walter, Scott's 88-year-old father, requires full-time care for dementia, and the family recently lost Evelyn, Scott's mother, to cancer.
The financial burden of medical expenses led Scott to make a hardship application to Transport for NSW (TfNSW), hoping for an expedited sale.
Yet, the offer that eventually came was far below expectations, calculated based on the land's former rural zoning rather than its more valuable enterprise zoning.
The situation worsened following a Land and Environment Court decision involving Goldmate Property, significantly reducing the potential value of land acquired near the new airport.
The government has leveraged this decision to offer lower compensation to affected landowners, a move independent community commissioner Roberta Ryan has labelled as 'grossly unfair' and 'devastating' for the residents.
‘These people largely have lived in rural isolation, without water and sewer, [with] very little connection to government,’ she said.
‘Post this Goldmate decision…people are finding out that their land is being valued at the pre-rezoning value.’
‘This, of course, is devastating news.’
The emotional toll on families like the Lutigers is immense.
Not only are they dealing with personal loss and illness, but they also feel trampled by a process that seems to disregard the true worth of their properties.
The government's stance has sparked a broader conversation about the fairness of compulsory acquisitions and the need for potential legal reforms to protect landowners' rights.
Premier Chris Minns has generally argued that landowners should be paid market value for their properties, acknowledging the conflict that often arises between government valuations and owners' expectations.
‘We want to make sure people are made as whole as possible while at the same time building the infrastructure the city needs.’ he said.
‘There's often a conflict about what the government thinks the land is worth and what the owner of the land believes,’
Meanwhile, legal experts like Flo Mitchell are calling for legislative changes, especially if the Goldmate decision is upheld on appeal, to prevent the erosion of property values through government acquisitions.
‘Right now, the biggest problem is in Western Sydney because that's where the biggest growth is,’ she stated.
‘But in other areas where rezoning is happening…other people could very well be impacted.’
Should the government offer more compensation to residents affected by land acquisitions? How can the legal process better protect landowners in these situations? Let us know in the comments below.
However, for many residents living near the proposed site, the project has become a source of distress and financial uncertainty.
The NSW government's approach to acquiring land for the airport and associated infrastructure has left several families.
Scott Lutiger's story is a poignant example of these residents' turmoil.
The government offered his family's seven-and-a-half-acre property in Bradfield, which has been part of their lives since 1970, a mere $468,000—an amount Scott describes as 'disgusting.'
The Lutigers, who have deep roots in the area, are now confronted with the reality of being forced to part with their land for a fraction of its potential value.
Properties near the Western Sydney Airport have been criticised for undervalued by the NSW government. Credit: Facebook
Personal struggles compound the Lutigers' hardship.
Walter, Scott's 88-year-old father, requires full-time care for dementia, and the family recently lost Evelyn, Scott's mother, to cancer.
The financial burden of medical expenses led Scott to make a hardship application to Transport for NSW (TfNSW), hoping for an expedited sale.
Yet, the offer that eventually came was far below expectations, calculated based on the land's former rural zoning rather than its more valuable enterprise zoning.
The situation worsened following a Land and Environment Court decision involving Goldmate Property, significantly reducing the potential value of land acquired near the new airport.
The government has leveraged this decision to offer lower compensation to affected landowners, a move independent community commissioner Roberta Ryan has labelled as 'grossly unfair' and 'devastating' for the residents.
‘These people largely have lived in rural isolation, without water and sewer, [with] very little connection to government,’ she said.
‘Post this Goldmate decision…people are finding out that their land is being valued at the pre-rezoning value.’
‘This, of course, is devastating news.’
The emotional toll on families like the Lutigers is immense.
Not only are they dealing with personal loss and illness, but they also feel trampled by a process that seems to disregard the true worth of their properties.
The government's stance has sparked a broader conversation about the fairness of compulsory acquisitions and the need for potential legal reforms to protect landowners' rights.
Premier Chris Minns has generally argued that landowners should be paid market value for their properties, acknowledging the conflict that often arises between government valuations and owners' expectations.
‘We want to make sure people are made as whole as possible while at the same time building the infrastructure the city needs.’ he said.
‘There's often a conflict about what the government thinks the land is worth and what the owner of the land believes,’
Meanwhile, legal experts like Flo Mitchell are calling for legislative changes, especially if the Goldmate decision is upheld on appeal, to prevent the erosion of property values through government acquisitions.
‘Right now, the biggest problem is in Western Sydney because that's where the biggest growth is,’ she stated.
‘But in other areas where rezoning is happening…other people could very well be impacted.’
Last edited:
.png){kind=icon}
