Draft:Valuer-General of Tasmania
The Valuer-General of Tasmania is a statutory officer appointed by the Government of Tasmania under the Valuation of Land Act 2001 (Tasmania). The Valuer-General is responsible for overseeing Tasmania’s land valuation system, ensuring accurate, impartial, and independent valuations of land and property. These valuations play a critical role in supporting Tasmania’s taxation framework, municipal ratings, and other property-related decisions.[1] The office also provides expertise in infrastructure planning, fosters collaborative stakeholder engagement, and supports effective land management strategies.[2]
| Valuer-General of Tasmania | |
|---|---|
| File:No official insignia | |
Incumbent since December 2022Guy Naish | |
| Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania | |
| Appointer | Governor of Tasmania |
| Term length | 5 years or longer at the discretion of the Governor |
| Constituting instrument | Valuation of Land Act 2001 (Tasmania) |
| Formation | 2001 |
| First holder | Lou Ray |
| Deputy | Deputy Valuer-General |
| Salary | Not publicly disclosed |
| Website | https://nre.tas.gov.au/land-tasmania/office-of-the-valuer-general |
The Valuer-General is responsible for setting standards and formulating policies that govern the land valuation system. This ensures consistency and reliability across municipal and state land assessments. Supported by the Office of the Valuer-General, the position also oversees compliance with regulations, resolves disputes, and delivers valuation services for taxation, municipal ratings, and property Land acquisition.[3]
History of the Office
[edit]The Valuer-General of Tasmania has a long-standing responsibility for ensuring uniformity, accuracy, and equity in land valuations across the state. The position was formalized under the Valuation of Land Act 2001 (Tasmania) but traces its origins back to earlier legislative frameworks designed to support the Government of Tasmania in managing land as a critical public asset.[4]
Initially, the office focused on facilitating consistent valuations for Land tax in Australia and municipal rates, which were foundational to Tasmania's taxation system. Over the years, the Valuer-General’s role has expanded to include oversight of Land acquisition valuations, strategic advice on infrastructure planning, and support for sustainable land use planning initiatives.[5]
With advancements in technology, the office has adopted digital tools such as GIS mapping and the LISTmap platform to enhance the accessibility and accuracy of valuation data. This modernization has allowed the office to streamline processes, address stakeholder concerns, and improve compliance with evolving urban planning and environmental policies.[6]
The office continues to play a pivotal role in balancing Tasmania’s economic needs with sustainable land management practices, ensuring that property valuations align with dynamic market trends and legislative requirements. By fostering transparency and consistency, the Valuer-General’s office has become an essential component of Tasmania’s public administration framework.[7]
Current Valuer-General: Guy Naish
[edit]Guy Naish was appointed as the Valuer-General of Tasmania in December 2022. In this role, he oversees all land and property valuations across Tasmania, ensuring compliance with the Valuation of Land Act 2001 (Tasmania).[8]
In addition to his Tasmanian responsibilities, Naish serves as the statutory appointed Hardship Review Panel Member under New South Wales' Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1993 (NSW), where he advises the NSW Government around fair and reasonable outcomes for landowner Hardship applications triggered by government compulsory acquisition.[9]
Former Valuer-Generals
[edit]The role of the Valuer-General has been held by several notable individuals:
- Tim Grant (2014–2022)
- Warrick Coverdale (2005–2014)
- Lou Ray (1997–2005)
Responsibilities of the Valuer-General
[edit]The Valuer-General of Tasmania is responsible for:
- Conducting property valuations: Ensuring accurate and equitable property valuations across Tasmania for taxation purposes and municipal rating systems. These valuations provide a foundation for the state’s revenue framework and local government funding.[10]
- Advising on policies: Providing expert advice on Land valuation policies and strategies to support Strategic property management. This includes guidance on property market dynamics and compliance with legislative requirements.[11]
- Managing valuation adjustment factors: Establishing and applying Valuation adjustment factor to ensure property assessments reflect current market trends, maintaining fairness and consistency in land tax and municipal rates.[12]
- Supporting infrastructure projects: Offering strategic infrastructure planning advice to government and private stakeholders. This involves evaluating the land required for Infrastructure projects.
Governance and Legislation
[edit]The position of the Valuer-General operates under several key legislative frameworks that guide its functions and responsibilities:
- Valuation of Land Act 2001 (Tasmania): This foundational legislation establishes the duties and powers of the Valuer-General, including oversight of the land valuation system, the application of valuation adjustment factors, and the resolution of disputes related to property valuations in Tasmania. It provides the legal framework for municipal ratings and land tax assessments.[13]
- Land Acquisition Act 1993 (Tasmania): Governs the processes for compulsory property acquisitions in Tasmania, ensuring fair and equitable compensation. This act is relevant to this statutory role as Valuer-General through determining appropriate compensation for dispossessed landowners where property rights have been secured via compulsory land acquisitions. It is a cornerstone for managing property disputes arising from Infrastructure projects and public works.[14]
These legislative instruments ensure that the Valuer-General’s office operates within a structured and transparent framework, balancing the rights of property owners with the broader needs of government and public infrastructure.[15]
Public Impact
[edit]The Valuer-General’s work has significant public impact by: 1. Ensuring fairness and consistency in land tax assessments and municipal ratings. 2. Supporting transparency in the Tasmanian property market. 3. Facilitating sustainable land use and development to meet state infrastructure goals.
- ^ "Valuation of Land Act 2001". Legislation Tasmania. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Role and Responsibilities of the Valuer-General". Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Office of the Valuer-General". Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Valuation of Land Act 2001". Legislation Tasmania. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Role and Responsibilities of the Valuer-General". Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "LISTmap: Advancing Land Information Systems". Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Sustainable Land Management in Tasmania". Tasmanian State Commission. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Valuation of Land Act 2001". Legislation Tasmania. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Hardship Review Panel - Land Acquisition". NSW Property Acquisition. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Role of the Valuer-General". Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Valuation Policy Advice". Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Valuation Adjustment Factors". Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Valuation of Land Act 2001". Legislation Tasmania. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Land Acquisition and Compensation Act". NSW Property Acquisition. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Valuer-General's Framework and Responsibilities". Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.