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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 13 Hansard (21 November) . . Page.. 4026 ..

(5) What is the area of the land involved.

(6) Could you provide a map showing which parcels of land are being swapped.

(7) (a) What valuation was done of the monetary value of the parcels of land being swapped and (b) does the agreement involve any exchange of money between the parties if the value of the two parcels is not equal.

(8) What assessment was done of the planning implications of this land swap, eg alternative uses of the adjoining land if it had not been part of the swap, or the impact of the new block boundaries on potential development around the Orana School.

Mr Corbell: The answer to the member's questions is as follows:

(1) The previous Government approved "in principle" the direct sale of part Block 4 in return for the surrender of part Block 6 Section 94 Weston to Canberra Rudolf

Steiner School Association Incorporated (Orana School).

(2) The proposal was initiated by the Orana School who applied in June 1999 to acquire all of Block 4. The application did not proceed as it was not supported by the then Department of Education and Community Services because of student/space ratios. In November 2000 the Orana School sought to acquire part Block 4 in exchange for the surrender of an equal area of land that is part of Block 6. The land is required to enable Orana School to further develop its educational facility located on Blocks 6 and 3.

(3) An offer of lease to the Orana School has not yet been made. This is expected to take place shortly, at which time the Orana School will need to surrender part of its lease over Block 6.

(4) The Australian Banal Community, Australian Federal Police, Weston CIT, as land users in the area, and the Weston Creek Community Council were consulted. No objections were raised to the proposed land exchange.

(5) The direct grant site (part Block 4) and the handback site (part Block 6) are each (2) 6,907 square meters.

(6) A map is attached.

(7)

(a) The Australian Valuation Office valued part Block 6 at $50,000 and part Block 4 at $85,000 for use as an educational establishment. As the western portion of Block 6 is landlocked AVO considered it appropriate to allocate it a lesser value.

(b) There is no charge for land sold to educational establishments in receipt of a capital subsidy under a Commonwealth or Territory program in accordance with the current pricing policy for community organisations.

(8) At the time the application by Orana School was under consideration the adjoining land was plantation forest under the control of ACT Forests. The pine plantation was removed earlier this year because of public safety concerns. Any development of the land would need to take into account the possible impact on the Orana School site.

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