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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 3 Hansard (5 March) . . Page.. 588 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

I have some additional information for Ms Tucker, which I wish to provide to her. It does not address all the questions she raised, but it does provide some additional information in relation to some of them.

At 5.00 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the debate was interrupted. The motion for the adjournment of the Assembly having been put and negatived, the debate was resumed..

MR CORBELL: On 26 April last year, the then Minister for Urban Services agreed to an increase in the development rights for the Southern Cross Club on part of section 108, Phillip, from 15,000 square metres to 17,500 square metres. This agreement was given in recognition of the increase in the cost of the road works at Callam Street, from $4.3 million to approximately $5 million, and on the understanding that the community benefit was retained-approximately $1 million to $1.2 million.

The cost to the club was therefore $5 million and the revised AVO valuation on the 17,500 square metres of this development is in the range of $3.8 million to $4 million. I am advised that this therefore delivers a public benefit of $1 million to $1.2 million. The deed of agreement has been signed by the Southern Cross Club, but has not been signed by the government. I am currently receiving legal advice as to whether I am able to provide information about that to Ms Tucker. I will get back to her on those other items as soon as possible.

Adjournment

Death of Mr Neil Harris OAM

MR CORNWELL (5.02): I wish to pass on my condolences, and I trust those of the Assembly, to Mrs Audrey Harris and her daughters, Shelley and Linda, and their families, on the death late last month of Neil Harris OAM. Neil was a generous and untiring contributor to the community, particularly to its more vulnerable members, through his extensive Lions Club and personal activities.

After distinguished military and civilian careers, he was publicly recognised with many awards, including the Order of Australia and, following his passing, by a memorial service, which was indeed a celebration of his life and his contribution to this community. Neil achieved the goal to which we, as elected representatives, aspire-he made a difference.

Rental accommodation

MS DUNDAS (5.03): I rise today to speak on the issues of rental accommodation and the "no groups" rule that is applied within Canberra. As occurs every February here in the nation's capital, the population increases as students move to Canberra to take up study at one of our fine tertiary education facilities, and graduates move to Canberra to take up their positions within the federal public service graduate program. As a result,

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