Page 721 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 12 March 1991
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A particular feature of the legislation is that it will no longer be necessary for variations to the Territory Plan - which at this stage means variations to former NCDC policies - to be referred to the Commonwealth Minister, as was the case under the ACT (Planning and Land Management) Act. The full responsibility for endorsing and amending the Territory Plan now rests with the ACT.
The procedure will be that proposals to vary the Territory Plan will, in the first instance, be approved by the Executive, and then the plans, together with appropriate background papers, including a full report on public consultation, will be laid before the Legislative Assembly. There will then be a period of six sitting days during which the Assembly can pass a resolution to disallow the plan either in whole or in part.
The ending of the transition period and the establishment of the ACT Planning Authority are important milestones in the history of planning in the Australian Capital Territory. These actions provide us with the opportunity to ensure that the planning of Territory lands is undertaken in an efficient and responsible way. They also lay a duty on us, as members of the Assembly, to monitor planning proposals and to respond appropriately.
I have described an important step in the development of the planning system for the ACT. It reinforces the independence of the Territory and the authority of the Legislative Assembly in a range of matters. I am confident that it will be followed by further positive steps in the development of a unique planning system for the Australian Capital Territory. I will be making further statements to the Assembly on the progress of the package of planning Bills at a later and, hopefully, earlier date.
HEALTH SERVICES BUDGET
Ministerial Statement
MR HUMPHRIES (Minister for Health, Education and the Arts), by leave: I thank members of the house for giving me the opportunity of making this statement at this time. I think it is appropriate to advise members of the current situation, given the importance of the health system to Canberra. First of all, I want to correct statements made by members of this Assembly, and the media, of a budget blow-out of extraordinary proportions. What is true is that Royal Canberra Hospital faces a likely shortfall of at least $4.6m this year unless remedial action can address the problem. A further possible requirement for supplementation totalling $2.8m is still being investigated at officer level. The remaining activities of the Board of Health are on target, including the hospital redevelopment project.
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