Urban renewal can be a pathway to safety, liveability

WHEN we discuss the Urban Renewal Bill, there are several foundational principles that must be understood, as they form the Bill’s basis, such as how the future Urban Renewal Act itself is interpreted. The proposed Bill clearly states that it must be read with other existing laws relating to planning, land, housing, and local government, which I believe will clear up many common misconceptions about the Bill.

Firstly, regarding claims that the Bill centralises power in federal hands, the Bill does not introduce new federal authority, and the existing division of powers under the Federal Constitution’s Ninth Schedule still remains intact. States, through the State Executive Committee, still decide and approve renewal areas, while the Federal Executive Committee only advises and provides oversight to protect stakeholders.