DFSI-2019-03-Property Acquisition Standards

Acquiring authorities are to comply with revised Property Acquisition Standards This circular issues revised Property Acquisition Standards (Standards) (Attachment A) following a review of the Standards in consultation with the Customer Service Commissioner, acquiring authorities, the Office of Local Government and the Office of the Valuer General.   All agencies that acquire land under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 are expected to comply with the revised Property Acquisition Standards.   The Standards commit agencies to improving the experience of property owners The Standards were first issued in 2017 as part of a package of legislative and administrative reforms developed in response to reviews of land acquisition processes by David Russell SC and the then Customer Service Commissioner Michael Pratt AM.   The revised Standards continue the Government’s commitment to a land acquisition process that is both fair and efficient. They improve clarity for property owners and residents, and transparency of process and consistency of practice across agencies.   The Standards are supported by Minimum Requirements The revised Standards are to be read together with minimum requirements, issued by the Centre for Property Acquisition as required. The minimum requirements provide a further operational framework for acquiring authorities. They are published on the Centre for Property Acquisition’s website at www.propertyacquisition.nsw.gov.au.   Resources are available to assist practitioners Information and resources to assist acquiring authorities to comply with the revised Standards and minimum requirements will be available on the Centre for Property Acquisition’s practitioner portal. Contact [email protected] for access to the portal.   Enquiries about the Standards may be directed to the Centre for Property Acquisition at [email protected].   Further information, including the NSW Government response to the reviews of land acquisition processes and related guidance materials, are available on the Centre for Property Acquisition’s website at www.propertyacquisition.nsw.gov.au.