Latest news with #GAIC
Herald Sun
28-06-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Allan government holding $400m from Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution
The Allan government is sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars desperately needed for roads, parks, libraries and swimming pools in Melbourne's outer suburbs. Landowners and developers in the city's booming growth areas have coughed up more than $1.4 billion to fund desperately needed local infrastructure. But the state government is banking more than $230 million, despite pleas from councils to fund key projects. Melbourne's west is handing over almost as much as the north and south corridors combined but being snubbed on hundreds of millions of dollars worth of projects. The levy – known as the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution – has been collected by councils from developers of new housing estates since 2010 to help fund local schools, services and recreational spaces. It is then pooled by the state government who decides when and where it is allocated across seven areas, including Melton, Mitchell and Casey. Despite desperate calls for funding to fix crumbling roads, new sporting fields and public transport services, figures showed just 72.4 per cent had been committed to projects as of March — leaving a $396 million gap. Top contributor, Melton, had only had 51.2 per cent of the funds it had raised committed to local projects, according to the data — the lowest commitment rate. Northern Melbourne – Mitchell, Hume and Whittlesea – were also being short changed, raising $130 million more than what had been committed to local projects. Melbourne's southeast – Casey and Cardinia – are punching above their weight, with almost all of the funds collected flowing back to local projects. A government spokesman claimed the publicly available figures were outdated and that the gap had decreased from $396 million to $234 million, with a total of $1.2 billion committed. However, he refused to provide the data. The most recent projects funded under GAIC have been the $60 million spent on the Ison Road Overpass in Werribee, $35 million towards a new school in Cobblebank, and more than $150 million for new bus services across Melbourne. Property Council of Australia Victorian executive director Cath Evans said communities in Melbourne's west were waiting too long to see the benefits of GAIC funding. 'The purpose of the levy is to deliver timely infrastructure to support population growth — but delays in spending mean families are moving into new suburbs without the roads, schools and health facilities they urgently need,' she said. City of Melton Mayor Steve Abboushi called on the state government to commit to a 'guaranteed percentage of funding and associated transparency' to help fund pools, libraries and active transport. He urged the government to match a $15 million Commonwealth commitment to the new Plumpton Aquatic and Leisure Centre. 'As one of the fastest growing areas in Australia, we need urgent investment in transport infrastructure including additional train stations, bus services, and investment in associated infrastructure in public transport such as carparking,' he said. Wingate Director of Research Andrew Perkins said while the intent behind GAIC was strong, delivery needed to 'keep pace' with growth to ensure communities get the infrastructure they need when they need it. Opposition planning infrastructure spokesman Richard Riordan said greenfield developers were 'beyond frustrated' as he accused government of stockpiling the funds to help offset the budget. It comes as furious Point Cook residents lashed Wyndham Council after they decided to spend $24 million in separate developer contributions in other parts of the LGA. Point Cook resident Dwayne Kelly, who started a petition, said the decision had caused an 'uproar among Point Cook residents' who had been calling for new sporting facilities.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kesar mango fest brings consumers, farmers together
Ahmedabad: Gujarat govt on Wednesday launched its annual Kesar Mango Festival 2025 at Ahmedabad Haat in Vastrapur, featuring premium mangoes from eight districts including Junagadh, Talala and Gir Somnath. The Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd (GAIC)-organized event hosts 85 stalls, enabling direct farmer-to-consumer sales of carbide-free mangoes . The festival showcases kesar mangoes from Valsad, Navsari, Dang, Narmada and Kutch regions."This platform eliminates middlemen, improving our profits and market reach," said Harsh Patel, a vendor from Talala. Another vendor Meet Vala, "Such events facilitate direct consumer interaction and motivate us to improve production."The state horticulture department's exhibition features diverse mango varieties from across India, including Totapuri from Andhra Pradesh, Rajapuri from Maharashtra and Langda from Uttar Pradesh. Gujarat's mango production has shown impressive growth, recording a 10.9% CAGR with production of 2.4 lakh metric tonnes, according to the India 2024 Horticulture Report. Officials anticipate sales of over 2.50 lakh kilograms during the festival. The event has received positive response from visitors. "I have never seen so many mango varieties in one place. This is a good way to learn about horticulture and mango varieties," said local resident Meena Shah. Ramesh Solanki, a software engineer from Satellite, said, "This is more than just a fruit festival. It's a showcase of Gujarat's agri-excellence." The festival continues for a month at Ahmedabad Haat, offering citizens direct access to premium kesar mangoes while supporting local farmers. — Inputs by Navya Nair and Palak Yadav
India Today
05-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Haryana approves new excise policy, no liquor shops in small villages
The Haryana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, approved the new Excise Policy in a meeting held in Chandigarh on Monday. In a major change, liquor shops will not be opened in villages with a population of less than 500. This provision will lead to the closure of around 152 shops across over 700 policy also includes major changes to the sale and visibility of liquor shops, alongside significant decisions on cow welfare, martyr support land reforms and per the approved policy, no liquor shop or theka will be directly visible from national or state highways. Signboards or advertisements visible from these roads will also be treated as violations. A fine of Rs 1 lakh will be imposed for the first violation, Rs 2 lakh for the second, and Rs 3 lakh for the third. Following that, the shop's license will be cancelled. The policy maintains the number of liquor shops at 2400 across 1200 zones. However, the minimum distance of liquor shops from bus stands, schools, colleges, and religious places has been increased from 75 metres to 150 open a drinking area (Ahata), license holders will now have to pay 4 percent of the license fee in Gurugram, 3 percent in Faridabad, Sonipat, and Panchkula, and 1 percent in all other districts. Additionally, a minimum area of 1000 square metres has been made mandatory for setting up an Welfare BudgetadvertisementThe Cabinet approved reforms in cow welfare (gaushala reform), increasing the Cow Service Commission's budget from Rs 2 crore to Rs 500 crore. Stamp duty exemption has been granted for land transactions related to new gaushalas. The policy also states that registered gaushala land cannot be used for personal or commercial And Land ReformsThe Haryana government abolished the outdated Municipal Accounting Code of 1930, replacing single-entry accounting with a double-entry system for better financial management. A uniform land valuation policy has also been approved to bring all departments in line with the central land acquisition standards. Payments will now follow compensation norms under the central land acquisition WelfareThe Cabinet approved an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore for martyred Agniveers. A residential plot has also been allotted to Geeta, wife of martyr Nayak Sandeep, who lost his life in Pulwama in 2019. The government also acknowledged the recruitment of 7120 individuals between 2022 and And Heritage ProjectsThe state government approved a Rs 474.39 crore AI development project with World Bank support. Under this project, GAIC will be set up in Gurugram and HACF in the heritage and tourism sectors, land has been approved for building a memorial and museum in Yamunanagar to honour Baba Banda Singh For Folk ArtistsadvertisementThe Haryana government has launched the "Pandit Lakhmichand Artist Social Honor Scheme" to support folk artists. Veteran artists will receive monthly financial assistance ranging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 based on Dispute With PunjabThe Haryana Cabinet condemned the Punjab Assembly's resolution aimed at halting Haryana's drinking water supply. Calling the move unconstitutional, the Cabinet demanded the immediate release of water.
