Page 1069 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 23 June 1992
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Acton Peninsula
MR DE DOMENICO: Mr Deputy Speaker, my question without notice is addressed to the Chief Minister. I refer the Chief Minister to this document that she says everybody else knows about - and I will give it another plug - her budget strategy. On page 12 she says:
We also need to pursue the selective sale and redevelopment of land and buildings that are not benefiting the community or the government.
I ask the Chief Minister in connection with that statement: Has her Government held discussions with the Commonwealth about the future use of the Acton Peninsula; and, if so, will she inform the Assembly, as she has said so much about consultation, about the outcome of those discussions?
MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr De Domenico for the question, Mr Deputy Speaker. I would like to make it clear, if I need to, that my comments about selective sale and redevelopment were not referring specifically to Acton Peninsula. What I have asked in relation to that part of the budget strategy statement is for Ministers to advise me on what they believe could be made better use of for our whole community. Of course, that is a matter upon which we need to consult. In particular, consultation is to occur if there are unions involved in, for instance, depots.
Mr De Domenico has asked me specifically about Acton Peninsula. I can advise that I have written recently to the Federal Government about Acton Peninsula. We must bear in mind that the peninsula is designated land and that anything that my Government might wish to do with it does need to be agreed to by the Commonwealth. Members will be aware also that my Government has given a number of commitments in regard to Acton Peninsula, in particular to the provision of a range of health facilities on Acton Peninsula. That is one of the matters which I have canvassed with the Federal Government. Members may also be aware of the general view by the National Capital Planning Authority about some redevelopment, some housing, that they believe might be appropriate on Acton Peninsula. I have indeed had informal discussions with the NCPA on that matter.
I have to say, Mr Deputy Speaker, that the short answer to Mr De Domenico's question is that we have first to ask the Commonwealth, the Federal Government, what their plans are and how they view the future of the peninsula, because basically they have the whip hand in this matter. I have taken that step, and I have not yet heard back from them.
MR DE DOMENICO: I have a supplementary question, Mr Deputy Speaker. The Chief Minister did say in her answer that she canvassed two matters in particular. One was health services and the other was housing. What other matters were canvassed in her communique with the Commonwealth?
MS FOLLETT: From memory, Mr Deputy Speaker, none.
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