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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 11 Hansard (28 November) . . Page.. 3290 ..
MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, I thank Mr Kaine for his question. You may recall that Mr Smyth announced the redevelopment of Burnie Court, ACT Housing's largest multi-unit property at Lyons, as part of the 1999-2000 budget. At that time the intention was to retain 74 units of general public housing, including 50 one-bedroom flats as well as 50 units of older persons accommodation. Since then there has been a two-stage expression of interest and tender process, which was terminated earlier this month on the recommendation of the tender evaluation panel because none of the short-listed tenderers achieved a satisfactory proposal. Many Assembly members expressed disappointment about the quality of the concept plans displayed in the mid-year.
The government has also recently announced two initiatives, which now impact on the redevelopment. The first is a change in acquisition policy to focus on two-bedroom stock as being more in line with community standards. The second is a change in the allocations policy to promote more sustainable living environments and allow greater flexibility in allocations so that couples may be eligible for three-bedroom properties and singles for the two-bedroom units, which are increasingly the norm for private renters.
Against this background, Mr Kaine, ACT Housing is reviewing its plans for the multi-unit precinct in Lyons. As a first step, ACT Housing will shortly advertise for master planners and consult with the local community and tenants prior to lodging development applications for subdivision of the site and progressive demolition of the buildings in the new year.
The government realises that the current situation is difficult for tenants and surrounding residents alike and will act quickly to progress the redevelopment. We will be working with tenants and residents with a view to achieving a better mix across the whole site whilst still retaining an acceptable proportion of units.
MR SPEAKER
: Do you wish to ask a supplementary question, Mr Kaine?MR KAINE: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do not doubt that the minister has good reasons for what he is doing but the people who are most concerned have been totally excluded from the process. Will the minister undertake to put the Burnie Court Residents Association and the Lyons Community Association back in the loop so that they are no longer in the dark about what is going on? Will he instruct ACT Housing to take up discussions with those groups with a view to getting this urgently needed project back on track with a minimum of acrimony-and there is a lot of it right now, I can tell you?
MR MOORE: Mr Kaine, the short answer is yes. I have to say that it is not difficult to give this instruction because ACT Housing has already indicated to me that they will be working and consulting with those two groups and, of course, I would expect that.
MR HARGREAVES: My question is directed to the Chief Minister in his capacity as the minister responsible for corrective services. Last night's break-out from the Belconnen Remand Centre, bringing the total number of escapes to four prisoners in four months, highlights the problems in the corrections system in the ACT-something that has not been adequately addressed while the prison project slowly emerges.
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