Page 1911 - Week 07 - Thursday, 20 August 1992

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Mr Moore: Madam Speaker, am I correct in saying that Mr Kaine can answer the question but not anticipate what is going on with the Bill? I think the question is broad enough for him to be able to do that.

MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Moore, I am sorry; the advice that I was given was obviously given on the run and I had to catch up with the intent of the question. Yes, you may ask that sort of question, but we cannot continue unless Mr Kaine is in a position to answer it without anticipating. Mr Kaine is the best judge of that, and I think he has wisely chosen to desist.

CSIRO Headquarters Building

MR LAMONT: My question is directed to the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning. What control does the ACT Government have over the possible redevelopment of the CSIRO headquarters building on Limestone Avenue, Campbell?

MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, this obviously is a matter of interest, I am sure, to all members in the Assembly. It is something that we regret and we will not facilitate in any way. The CSIRO site in Campbell is national land under the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988. It is not a designated area. The National Capital Plan states that special requirements for development control plans be prepared and agreed by the National Capital Planning Authority for national land which is not a designated area, as this is. Amongst other requirements, the development control plans are to reflect relevant provisions of the Territory Plan. At this time the NCPA has not prepared a development control plan for the site. The National Capital Plan also limits office developments outside the major employment locations to a maximum of 2,000 square metres gross floor area. The existing buildings exceed that limit. The requirements of the National Capital Plan have not been met and, therefore, disposal of the site by the Commonwealth at this time should not occur.

I should emphasise that there has been no consultation either between the Commonwealth and the Territory or between the CSIRO and the Territory on this issue. I would also point out that, in keeping with the spirit of the ACT (Planning and Land Management) Act, this land should continue to be used for Commonwealth purposes, or it should be degazetted and passed to the Territory. Finally, this Government, and I believe this parliament and the local Federal members, are all opposed to the relocation of the CSIRO, or this part of the CSIRO, to Melbourne.

Dental Services

MR WESTENDE: My question is to Mr Berry in his capacity as Minister for Health. Does the Minister for Health realise that waiting lists for the public dental service are in a shocking state? The length of the waiting list at the Tuggeranong Health Centre is 470 patients, at the Civic Health Centre 1,631 patients; at Belconnen 1,211 patients, and at the Phillip Health Centre 1,040 patients. Waiting times can vary between 12 and 18 months and are up from what they were under the Alliance Government. The Minister is fond of saying that things are getting better under Labor. In fact, things are getting worse for dental patients. When will the Minister act?


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