[Kharon]

One mans POV.

Funny thing is 'opinion' and point of view and it is remarkable how a single conversation can change both. The furore over the 'Leppington Triangle' and the political points scoring it has created was, is, and remains only a thing of passing interest; however.

Was introduced to a fellah recently who is 'actually' a developer and knows a bit about the way things are done and how 'value' is decided. Someone was banging on about the difference three million v 30 millions, when that was over this fellah said that given the chance he would happily pay more than 30 Mil for that 'corner' and the Govt. had got a good deal. Well, that shut the conversation down and in a while there was just he and I sat there. “Why, in simple terms?” I asked. Paraphrased the answer, and, as near as I can fathom it:-

“As a cow paddock, 'zoned' agricultural, the land is, at best worth 3 millions. But that land is an 'essential' block for the airport and surrounding industry. So the land must be 're-zoned' to industrial commercial development. If the present owners managed to 're-zone' that land, it would become worth 30M overnight. The owners cannot achieve this, but the Commonwealth can and they will make a serious return, through tax from the developers; it is a good investment long term as it keeps paying a return as development increases.”

I admit it made sense; and if true then it seems that someone has been very shrewd and actually worked out how to maximise the returns on an infrastructure project. Perhaps if that someone explained the 'logic' of the purchase, properly, then some of the sound and fury would abate.

Don't know as if I give a continental about the whole thing – but thought it worth a scribble. (If only to shut 'Wong' up) .

Toot – toot.