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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 10 Hansard (18 October) . . Page.. 3219 ..


Housing Development-McKellar

(Question No 291)

Ms Tucker asked the Minister for Urban Services, upon notice:

In relation to the answer to question 259 regarding the housing development next to McKellar shops:

(1) How and when did ACT Housing come to be aware of this housing development and the opportunity to buy units in the development;

(2) Did the Office of Asset Management or any other part of Government ask ACT Housing to consider the purchase of these units;

(3) Were the units originally designed as aged persons units, before the involvement of ACT Housing;

(4) If not,

(a) did ACT Housing negotiate any change to the design of the units to accommodate aged persons;

(b) what were the nature of any changes; and

(c) did these changes affect the purchase price;

(5) Is ACT Housing normally required to compete against private bidders in Government auctions of unleased land;

(6) If so, why doesn't the ACT Government allocate unleased land to ACT Housing directly according to its need for additional housing sites.

Mr Smyth: The answers to the member's questions are as follows:

(1) ACT Housing was first approached by the developer on the McKellar proposal in January 1999. ACT Housing often meets with developers and builders to discuss its future needs and priorities.

(2) No.

(3) The developer submitted a proposal to ACT Housing indicating that the units would be suitable for older persons accommodation.

(4) (a) Yes.

(b) Following the proposal from the developer ACT Housing requested some small changes including door relocations and minor kitchen modifications.

(c) No.

(5) ACT Housing is always required to pay market value for land it purchases. ACT Housing chooses to attend some land auctions if a particular site is attractive to it as part of its general purchase program.

(6) From time to time ACT Housing does negotiate directly with Infrastructure and Asset Management for sites but this is not the only mechanism for meeting its needs for residential sites.


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