Page 1074 - Week 04 - Thursday, 22 April 2021
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how they are removed, if that is required. Again, all of that work is based on the advice of experts. Every investigation that occurs during that process is checked by WorkSafe, tested by Robson and given clearance to ensure that our school communities are safe.
MR PARTON: Minister, is it true that there is only one company approved to test for hazardous materials before maintenance work can begin and is that why there are such long delays?
MS BERRY: I do not agree with the premise of the question. I do not know that there are delays; I have not had any delays identified to me.
As to testing, I am not quite sure what testing Mr Parton is talking about. Previously, testing occurred in New South Wales. We now have the facilities in the ACT to do that testing. Reports on the results of tests come back much more quickly than they ever did before. As to whether there is only one organisation that can conduct that testing in the ACT, I do not believe that is the case.
MR HANSON: Minister, why are so many schools in such a poor state of repair after 20 years of ACT Labor government?
MS BERRY: They are not.
Planning—community consultation
MS CLAY: My question is to the Minister for Planning and Land Management. The parliamentary and governing agreement talks about completing the current planning review in consultation with Canberrans and improving community consultation and involvement in the development of Canberra. I have attended several community meetings in the last few months, including recently at the Belconnen Community Council and at the Kingston Foreshore, and the community is very worried about this review and the lack of details we have been given so far in the consultation. There has been consultation about the general direction that review is taking and there has been a survey, but as yet no-one has been given any details of what the new planning system might look like. When and how will the community be consulted on the substantive details of the future planning and development in Canberra?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Clay for the question. The ACT planning system review and reform project is well underway. It is initially based on a range of feedback that the community has provided about our planning system; I think we have all heard that. The paper that the government released last year is a reflection on how we can of course improve our planning system, and the government has heard very strongly over many years that the current system is not delivering what the community expects. Officials have looked at representation on development applications, submissions to Territory Plan variations, submissions to committee inquiries and recommendations from committee inquiries as well. There is quite a range of feedback that we have had about the planning system over years. That has provided, I think, a very clear picture of where we need to go and what we can do to
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