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The 1999 Walton Inquiry
- The NSW Premier, Mr Bob Carr, appointed Ms Julie Walton to conduct an Inquiry into the Land
Valuation System in NSW.
- It was stated that the report was intended to be an “independent review” of
the land valuation process in NSW.
- DLS made a lengthy and detailed submission to the Inquiry pointing to the anomalies and
injustices inherent in the current system of valuation and the objection process. David Singer,
a consultant with DLS, also met with Ms Walton to amplify many aspects of the written submission.
- Ms Walton’s report was released in December 1999.
- The Inquiry's findings amount to a damning indictment of the current valuation system and
objection process.
- In December 2000 the Government announced that it was implementing the most significant
changes to the land valuation system in a decade. It was stated that these changes were designed
to make information for property owners more open, accurate and understandable and would be
based on the recommendations of Ms Walton.
- The Government said it would put into action the following key measures:
- Improve access to information for property owners.
- Improve the management of objections by property owners to valuations.
- Strengthen quality controls throughout the land valuation process through increased training
for valuers and staff.
- Implement a continuous process of improvement.
- Provide better guidelines and manuals for staff.
- Increase the use of valuation verification in local areas where land values are volatile.
- Appoint an Industry Working Group to advise the VG.
- Review the tendering process for land valuation contractors.
- Reduce administration and legal complexities by amending legislation.
- A number of reforms to the system have been instituted by the Carr Government. The main
thrust of the report however, calling for significant reform, has not been embraced.
- DLS lodged a further submission in relation to the findings of the Walton Inquiry and was
instrumental in forcing a Government review of some of the findings in the report.
- DLS have lodged further submissions to various state instrumentalities (including the NSW
Ombudsman).
- The firm also called for the Government to delay the issue of the 2003 and 2004 assessments
until the deficiencies identified by Ms Walton and the firm had been fully implemented.
- To date, the Government has resisted the pressure to undertake any major reform of the
system.
- Nothing has been said or done about refunding land tax overcharged by the Government between
1998 and 2000 when the spate of overvaluation occurred in every valuation district in NSW.
For further information contact:
Simon Singer
Phone 9212 1099
Email ssinger@dls-lawyers.com
David Singer
Phone 9212 1099
Email dsinger@dls-lawyers.com
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