The ACT Ombudsman has released a report on the transparency of commercial land valuation decisions in the Territory, finding more needs to be done.
The Ombudsman, Michael Manthorpe said his investigation and subsequent report, Investigation into the transparency of commercial land valuation decisions in the ACT, followed a complaint made by an ACT resident about a 305 per cent increase in the valuation of their commercial property, which increased the rates payable.
Mr Manthorpe said that during the investigation, his Office identified broader concerns regarding the transparency of the valuation process for commercial land.
“These concerns involve the Office with the ACT Revenue Office’s (ACTRO) failure to document reasons for increases in the Unimproved Value (UV),” Mr Manthorpe said
“We acknowledge that for residential properties, it may not be practical, or necessary, for ACTRO to record or provide individual reasons for decisions to increase an UV,” he said.
“This is because such assessments occur on a ‘group basis’.”
“However, where decisions are made to increase an UV on an individual basis, as can be the case for commercial properties, the principles of good public administration require that the reasons for such a decision be recorded and be available to the affected person.”
Mr Manthorpe said Government processes needed to be transparent and reasons for decisions must be recorded and made available to those affected, in order to maintain community confidence in Government decision‑making,
He made nine recommendations aimed at increasing good decision-making and providing greater transparency.
The Ombudsman’s 17-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
