Page 430 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 24 February 1993
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QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
RSL Retirement Village
MR KAINE: I direct a question to the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning. Minister, could you tell us whether the Government has yet made a decision about the proposal by the RSL to build a retirement home near Lake Ginninderra?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, the answer simply is no. We have not made any decision; indeed, I think the decision making time - if it ever comes to that - is a long time away. I understand that the RSL may make a request to construct a retirement village. I have not checked to see whether a request has actually been received yet. If a request is made, it will be considered; it will be examined. I believe that a draft variation would be necessary to change the purpose of that area of land. So, obviously, a lot is yet to happen before any decisions can be made.
MR KAINE: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Could the Minister explain how it is that the secretary of his department last night gave an unequivocal guarantee to the Belconnen Community Council that that project would not proceed?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, if Mr Kaine makes that assertion he - - -
Mr Kaine: It is fact.
MR WOOD: You claim that it is fact. I have no means of knowing whether that is fact or whether it is not fact.
Mr Kaine: I suggest that you check with the Belconnen Community Council, because they were told that last night.
MR WOOD: What information was conveyed to the Belconnen Community Council, I do not know. I will inquire as to the position, but I will not accept a claim from Mr Kaine that what he says is a fact.
Land Use Variations
MR LAMONT: My question is also directed to the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning. Is the assertion in today's Canberra Times that the leasehold system is not being applied as originally intended in respect of variations to land use correct?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, I suppose that, since the Gorton Government forced a fundamental change to the leasehold system when it abolished land rent, the system generally does not function as it was originally intended. I did see the article you refer to, and I note that it supports the concept of no speculation in land in the ACT. As intended originally, the leasehold system has prevented speculation in land from the date of sale by insisting, through lease provisions, that buildings be completed prior to any transfer. This provision has not only prevented speculation in raw land but allowed development, planning and the provision of services to proceed in an orderly manner.
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