Page 3203 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 18 October 2022
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The district strategies will guide the strategic management of growth and change on the district scale in the city. They will map green and blue spaces, good travel connection, housing, employment growth and a revitalisation of our shopping centres. So I am excited for the release of these strategies in the near future and I believe they will show how our new planning system is coming together to provide great outcomes for Canberrans who love their city.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, how can the community be involved with the project.
MR GENTLEMAN: Yes it is a great question and I thank Mr Pettersson for the supplementary question. Community is at the heart of these changes and we have spent years engaging Canberrans, understanding what they love about their city and what they want from their planning system. This has helped shape the bill, the new plan and strategies. In addition, each of these documents has its own consultation process. The existing environment planning forum and the stakeholder working series consisting of industry and community representatives were used to discuss early policy approaches to features and changes proposed in drafting the new planning bill. Our legislation working group consisting of legal and planning practitioners was also convened to discuss the drafting of provisions and policy approaches. Given the complex nature of the draft planning bill, online information sessions were held for the public and stakeholders to help inform considerations for the draft planning bill and in preparation of submissions. It is likely a similar process will occur for the Draft Territory Plan and the strategies in the districts as well.
In the coming weeks and months the community also has their chance to comment on the draft strategies and the Draft Territory Plan, similar to the bill consultations. We will work with interest groups as well as the wider community to hear their opinions. We want to hear a range of thoughts from people who interact with the system in different ways. We are in the process of finalising exactly what the consultation process will look like, but it will be driven by the principles of good community consultation. They are outlined in the Planning Bill. We want everyone to have their say to make sure the new system is the best possible one for our city.
Work health and safety—wall shoring collapses
MR PARTON: My question is to the Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction or whichever minister wants to take it. On the matter of multiple building sites having had severe wall collapses in recent months, the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union ACT CEO said that “heavy rain should not cause excavation collapses”. Minister, how is it possible for yet another wall to collapse this year and why are Canberra’s excavation sites not up to a safe standard?
MS CHEYNE: I will take this, as Minister Vassarotti is the policy minister and I am the operational minister with respect to this. I will refer Mr Parton to my extensive ministerial statement earlier this morning. The matter still is under investigation, so it is too early at this stage to detail what may have been the cause here. But can I assure members that Access Canberra and WorkSafe ACT are working closely with the builder, the manager of the earthworks, and are also working closely with residents both those immediately affected and neighbouring residents, regarding the safety of that site.
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