TASMANIA
The
Valuer-General is the statutory government officer responsible for
establishing and maintaining municipal valuation rolls used for local
government rating and tax purposes under the Valuation of Land Act
2001.
The
Valuer-General is also responsible for the competitive tendering
system which awards contracts for valuation services under the Act
and for monitoring the quality of valuation services performed by
contractors. The process of acquisition of land by government
agencies and the assessment of compensation for dispossessed
landowners under the Land Acquisition Act 1993 is also administered
by the Valuer-General.
THE
FOLLOWING ACTS ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE VALUER GENERAL:
VALUATION
OF LAND ACT 2001
The
Act provides for statutory valuations to be undertaken by the
Valuer-General for rating and taxing purposes on a cyclical basis. In
line with the National Competition Policy, provision has been made
for statutory valuations to be provided to the Valuer-General by way
of competitive tender. The Legislation also enables a landowner to
object to a valuation made by the Valuer-General and provides that in
the event of an ongoing dispute, for a final determination to be made
by either the Land Valuation Court or the Supreme Court.
The
Act came into force on 28 June 2002 and does not drastically depart
from the provisions contained in the repealed legislation, namely the
Land Valuation Act 1971. The following sets out
some of the more significant changes incorporated into the
Legislation:
- A competitive tender system for the provision of statutory
valuation services;
- The Assessed Annual Value which was previously assessed on
a gross basis, is to be assessed on a partially net basis, being clear
of goods and services tax, council rates and land tax charges;
- Definition of land value been amended to have regard to
heritage issues and improvements which must be retained by law;
- Expanding the time in which a landowner may object to a
valuation from 30 days to 60 days;
- Reduction in the revaluation cycle from a maximum of 10
years to 7 years; and
- Authority given to the Land Valuation Court to make Rules
of Court. This will give direction to the parties as to the
requirements of the Court.
In
addition numerous other Acts make reference to the Valuer-General
such as the Local Government Act 1993, Land and Income
Taxation Act 2000 and the Libraries Act 1984.
For example under the Crown lands (Shack Sites)
Act 1997 the Valuer-General is required to assess the
value of shack sites for sale purposes. That Act also provides for a
review of the assessment by the Valuer-General and if necessary for
him to refer the assessment to the Land Valuation Court.
LAND
VALUERS ACT 2001
In
line with the National competition Policy formal registration of land
valuers has been substituted with a negative form of "registration."
The Act provides that a land valuer must complete a prescribed course
of study and have the necessary practical experience as determined by
the Australian Property Institute or other organisation representing
the interests of valuers in Tasmania.
The
Act empowers the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading to
investigate complaints. The Director must keep a register of
disciplinary action taken, which may be inspected by the public at
the Office of the Director. It is considered that these provisions
afford transparency to the public in respect of any investigation.
LAND
ACQUISITION ACT 1993
The
Act makes provision for the acquisition of land by the Crown, public
and local authorities and promoters. The legislation sets out the
formal acquisition process including entry on to property, how
compensation is to be assessed and dispute resolution.
Amendments
have been incorporated into the Act to enable the acquisition of land
for the purposes of major infrastructure projects. These provisions
have not altered the assessment of compensation, but have expanded
certain time frames in which action must be taken, in which to
facilitate the acquisition for such purposes.
Officers
of the OVG undertake the acquisition of land as delegates of the
Minister administering the Act.
MUNICIPAL
REVALUATION PROGRAM
Under
the provisions of the Valuation of Land Act 2001 the
Valuer-General is required establish and maintain the Valuation Roll
and to revalue each valuation district within a 7 year period.
Statistics
in respect of the Tasmanian Valuation Roll as at the 1 July 2002 are
as follows:
Number
of Municipal Areas 29
Number
of Valuation Roll Entries 267,140
Number
of Valuations 241,138
Total
Land Value $10,508,833,996
Total
Capital Value $29,966,204,415
Total
Assessed Annual Value $1,980,372,191
Contracts
have been let by competitive tender for the supply of statutory
valuations to the Valuer-General in respect of 17 valuation
districts. Currently five tenders are under consideration (as at July
2002).
The
Valuer-General will in consultation with local government agree upon
a schedule to reflect future revaluations cycles. This will enable
forward planning by prospective valuation contractors.
During
the 2001-02 financial year the OVG supervised and issued revaluations
for the valuation districts of Hobart and Southern Midlands. The OVG
is currently preparing a Valuation Policy Manual based on the
Valuation of Land Act 2001, which came into
force on 28 June 2002. It is anticipated that the manual will be of
assistance to valuation services
contractors.
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