Page 798 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 13 April 1994
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MR LAMONT (Minister for Urban Services, Minister for Housing and Community Services, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport): Madam Speaker, I seek leave to make a short statement in regard to this matter.
Leave granted.
MR LAMONT: Madam Speaker, I was fortunate enough to be the chair of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee when the committee considered the variation for the Bocce Club. I think Ms Szuty and the deputy chair have quite adequately covered the issues, and they are also covered in the report. It was with deep concern that the committee viewed the current state of the Bocce Club. We believe that, given the fact that a benefit will apply to the club as a result of the redevelopment, there should be a requirement and a demonstrable showing as early as possible that the Bocce Club is intent upon improving its facilities. That is why, in our recommendation to the Minister, we have been quite explicit in our view that the Bocce Club now must deliver the services for which they occupy that site. That was my main reason for wishing to speak on this matter.
MR CORNWELL (3.20): Madam Speaker, I have come but recently to this committee and I had some concerns with this particular reference, principally that a significantly large portion of section 117, block 20, Kaleen, should be sold off. This concern was echoed by the Belconnen Community Council who, in the words of the ACT Planning Authority, were critical of the proposed change to residential use in order to "bail out" insolvent community clubs. The Planning Authority, however, has addressed this criticism, certainly to my satisfaction and I believe to the satisfaction of other members of the committee, and I think it is worth while recording this. Under "Evaluation" they state:
Whether or not the original proposal was initiated by the Club's financial situation is not a relevant consideration in terms of land use policy. It is difficult to see how any club could utilise the narrow sloping part of the existing club site for recreational uses. It is important that all land is effectively utilised and the Authority believes that residential use of this part of the site is an appropriate one.
One must marvel at the generosity of previous planning bodies, which gave away large tracts of land to community groups when such community organisations would have had some trouble in utilising the land that was given to them. Obviously, that is well and truly in the past, and therefore I welcome the use to which the balance of this section is being put.
I was further confirmed in this view, and the sense of the decision, when it was pointed out that the betterment would show a far greater value to the ACT and the Government, and thus the community, than by auctioning off the site. I think this is good commonsense; it is good financial management. However, I would hope that such procedures do not occur again. It is my understanding that there is only one further situation where a property could be dealt with in a similar fashion to this excess land at the Bocce Club for the benefit of its leaseholder, which I believe is another community organisation. I trust that we will not have any repetitions in future. Nevertheless, I remain a little concerned about that aspect.
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