Page 617 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 4 July 1989
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particular importance to Canberra, including the supply of residential land, the impact of tourism and the options for funding heritage programs.
On the subject of residential development and land supply, the Commonwealth sought agreement to a national housing development program to further Federal and State or territory housing supply-side measures. The Commonwealth proposed a contribution of $2m in each of three years, with State or territory contributions to be negotiated project by project.
The ACT was not included in initial allocations on the basis that it did not need to "demonstrate" to local government, and has been invited to only the most recent meeting on the program. I proposed that the ACT should be involved in future discussions and allocations as a matter of course. This was acknowledged by the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth circulated a paper informing Ministers of progress in the release of Commonwealth land for housing - a paper which did not acknowledge the ACT. I made a set of specific claims on behalf of the ACT and, in particular, called upon the Commonwealth to release land at the Belconnen naval station, the Bonshaw site and the Gungahlin CSIRO land holdings. Mr Barry Jones, representing the Federal Government, conceded that the claims of the ACT were strong and would be addressed by the Commonwealth. Negotiations with the Commonwealth are continuing in a positive vein.
All States and territories are experiencing problems with aircraft noise, and a paper on land use planning and control in respect of aircraft operations was circulated by the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce. The Federal Government is to respond formally to the recommendations of the paper. As Canberra grows and air services develop, aircraft noise may be an increasing problem. As the impact is much greater in the major cities, we will be watching their experience closely.
A paper on tourism impacts on the community, prepared by the Department of Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories brought Ministers up to date with the progress of various current inquiries into the Australian tourism industry.
Tourism is, and must continue to be, a significant part of the ACT private sector economy. The Government is vitally interested in how tourism can be encouraged in a manner which is sensitive to the community. A paper on relationships between State or territory governments and local councils summarised current arrangements in this field and was the basis for a discussion by Ministers.
One of the particularly relevant items on the agenda was regional planning, and I have followed discussions on this issue closely. Action has already been initiated to
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