Page 485 - Week 02 - Thursday, 11 February 2021
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Planning and Development Act 2007—variation No 377 to the Territory Plan
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (3.34): Pursuant to standing order 211, I move:
That the Assembly take note of the following paper:
Pursuant to subsection 79(1)—Variations to the Territory Plan together with associated documents—No 377—Approval—1 Dairy Road Fyshwick—Rezoning from Industrial IZ1 General Industrial Zone to Commercial CZ3 Services Zone and Non-Urban Hills Ridges and Buffer Zone and changes to the Fyshwick Precinct Map and Code.
MS VASSAROTTI (Kurrajong—Minister for the Environment, Minister for Heritage, Minister for Homelessness and Housing Services and Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction) (3.34): In broad terms, the Greens welcome this variation to the Territory Plan, as it has substantial, positive benefits for the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve into the future. I had the pleasure of visiting the Jerrabomberra Wetlands last week with the Capital Woodlands and Wetlands Trust and the Canberra Ornithological Group, to be shown around this beautiful and important wetland. I heard their thoughts about this variation to the Territory Plan and what they welcome and what they feel needs more work.
I commend the developer for working with community experts to ensure that the ecological values of this wetland are protected. Too often we have seen the community’s knowledge ignored, leading to unsustainable, low-quality development. The work that has been done to date has been really positive. The work, however, is not finished. The next steps in this planning process are critical to ensure that what is implemented on the ground protects this special place now and into the future.
Firstly, the urban design of the interface areas needs to mitigate or eliminate risk related to visitors, light spill waste, predators and noise impacts. It should be of the best practice environmental standards. Secondly, I heard about the risks of this important place being over-loved by increased numbers of visitors and about the need for placement of considered boardwalks and sensitive, appropriate boundary fences. Finally, I heard about the lack of recreational facilities along the area to meet demands for dog walkers, exercise and play, and I am concerned that this will become a potentially significant management issue for the wetlands as more people visit the site.
Related to this issue is the question of connectivity to the Dairy Road site, with Kingston to the west. In next steps, the Greens are keen to ensure that the planning authority will consult with active travel bodies to determine a plan regarding the longer term road and cycleway connectivity into the future. The Greens are very supportive of active travel and keen to encourage as much of it as possible, but we understand the need to balance the needs of different users and the ecological sensitivity of the area. We are really confident that good design and good cycleways,
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