Page 4250 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 29 November 1994
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The important thing about this is that there has to be consultation on these issues. It would be quite inappropriate for the committee to endorse the development in principle without having gone through that process; otherwise anybody who was consulted could rightly say, "What is the point of the consultation? You have already agreed to it in principle". That is what Mr De Domenico wants to do. He wants to prove to his mates that he is able to lock us in. It is a nonsense proposal. I think you are going to look like a loser after this one. It makes you look like an opportunist. But I have to say that, looking like an opportunist, you would be a great twin for your leader.
MS SZUTY (8.58): Madam Speaker, I support the committee's view that we are unable to proceed with the draft variation at this time. I note that the draft variation was actually referred to our committee by the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning earlier this month - only a few weeks ago. Given the committee's workload, it simply was not possible to fully investigate the proposal in the time that we had available. As Mr Berry indicated, the committee is conscious of a survey which is to be undertaken to assess the habitat of the striped legless lizard. It has had no opportunity to study more detailed aspects of the proposal with the proponents, with the objectors to the draft variation or with local residents and community groups.
I would also like to consider the development of residences on yet another golf course in the ACT. I think it is actually time for the Planning Committee to have a good look at some of the developments which we have given the go-ahead in the past and to have a serious think about yet another proposal for a golf course in the ACT. The developments which we have approved during the life of this Assembly include the redevelopment at the Belconnen golf course, the redevelopment of the Capital golf course in Narrabundah and also the Harcourt Hill golf course development. I think it is time to attempt to assess the viability of the proposed Yowani golf course development.
Madam Speaker, I consider the deferral of consideration of the draft variation in respect of the Yowani Golf Club to be appropriate. I think that the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee in the new Assembly should be given the opportunity to consider the draft variation proposal fully and properly, taking into consideration those wider issues which I have identified in my remarks.
MR DE DOMENICO (9.00): Madam Speaker, I will comment on my amendment, which has been circulated.
Mr Wood: Only comment? Are you going to move it?
MR DE DOMENICO: I will move it, too, Mr Wood, after I make some comments.
Mr Berry: I would have thought that somebody like you, who travels so close to the ground, would have more sympathy for the legless lizard.
MR DE DOMENICO: Mr Berry, thank you for making that personal remark - that someone who travels so close to the ground should have more sympathy for legless lizards. I will make sure that I get personal with you one day as well. Notwithstanding that remark, I move:
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