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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (30 August) . . Page.. 3783 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

Members will note from the report that the consultation process was very comprehensive. In addition to the discussion paper, PALM prepared a series of information sheets on ACTCode. These were made available at meetings and workshops, through the PALM web site and at the PALM shopfront. Altogether eight workshops were held during the consultation period with community members, Local Area Planning Advisory Committees and industry representatives. Several of these workshops involved small groups meeting for more than five hours to discuss the ACTCode proposals.

PALM received 58 submissions, many of which provided detailed comments on the proposals. Many groups and individuals have clearly gone to a lot of trouble to prepare a detailed submission, and I thank them for their interest and for those submissions.

The consultation has confirmed that there is widespread support for a stronger commitment to conserve and enhance Canberra's garden city character. The proposals for wider street reserves and better quality public open space in new subdivisions have been very well received. The government has therefore decided to adopt these provisions of ACTCode for use in new subdivision planning. As from today the ACTCode requirements will be included in all new deeds of agreement between government and residential land developers.

Mr Speaker, several submissions referred to problems with the proposed definition of terms such as "basement" or "gross floor area". In response the government has agreed to incorporate a national set of development assessment definitions into the Territory Plan for use in ACTCode, as recommended by the development assessment forum. These definitions have been supported by all state and territory planning departments, state and territory local government associations, as well as industry and professional representatives. The agreement on 19 national definitions will help reduce the complexity of planning systems and time delays associated with interpreting multiple definitions.

Most of the comments provided in the workshops and submissions focused on development in existing residential areas rather than greenfield situations. This is not unexpected given the sensitivities surrounding urban change associated with redevelopment in the older areas of the city.

Following further analysis of all the issues raised during the consultation program, PALM will undertake the preparation of the draft variation to the Territory Plan. This process will trigger a further round of public consultation. The current program is to produce draft variation documentation for release early in 2002.

In preparing the draft variation, some of the key issues that PALM will be considering are:

the identification of acceptable approaches to residential redevelopment, including single dwellings, dual occupancy, and multi-unit developments. This will include input from the review of dual occupancy that is being undertaken by PALM.

The introduction of a site coverage control that would require a specific percentage of a block to be retained for soft, green landscaping.

the future role of section master plans.

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