Page 2399 - Week 08 - Thursday, 5 August 2021
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On 5 August 2021, or today, I approved the application with conditions under section 162 of the Planning and Development Act 2007, using my ministerial call-in powers. In deciding the application, I gave careful consideration to the requirements of the Territory Plan, and advice of Transport Canberra and City Services; Icon Water; Evoenergy; the Environment Protection Authority; the Conservator of Flora and Fauna; the ACT Emergency Services Agency; and other entities and agencies, as required by the legislation and the planning and land authority.
I also gave consideration to the representations received by the planning and land authority during the public notification period for the development application that occurred between 5 May 2021 and 18 June 2021. I have imposed firm conditions on the approval of the development application that require, among other things, revision of the Hospital Road north; public and staff car parking; environmental assessment; lighting; wayfinding; and signage.
The Planning and Development Act 2007 provides for specific criteria in relation to the exercise of my call-in powers. I have used my call-in powers in this instance because I consider the proposal to provide a substantial public health benefit, particularly by delivering additional critical healthcare services and supporting the delivery of high quality clinical services to Canberra and the surrounding regions.
In particular, this development will deliver more operating rooms, treatment spaces, intensive care beds and significant expansion of the capacity of the Canberra Hospital. The extension will provide state-of-the-art facilities for medical practice, teaching, training and research and improve safety, health outcomes and operational efficiency. The provision of this development will enable an increased capacity across Canberra Hospital’s adult intensive care, paediatric care, coronary care, and surgical and emergency services.
The new building has been carefully planned to ensure that health services can be delivered to contemporary world-class standards. The well-considered design of this development will improve wayfinding and arrival experiences and has allowed for the building to be adapted and expanded into the future. The architecture, landscape and interior design of the expansion aims to create an environment which nurtures and fosters a wellness culture and community.
The use of my ability to call in this development application will help ensure that the delivery of the Canberra Hospital expansion stays on schedule. Section 161(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2007 specifies that, if I decide an application, I must table a statement in the Legislative Assembly no later than three sitting days after the day of the decision.
Mr Assistant Speaker, as required by the act and for the benefit of members, I table a statement providing a description of the development; details of the land on which the development is proposed to take place; the name of the applicant; details of my decision for the application; reasons for the decision; and community consultation undertaken by the proponent. The statement also includes a copy of the notice of decision.
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