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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 6 Hansard (17 June) . . Page.. 1946 ..


MRS DUNNE

(continuing):

planning requirements and land use issues for Oaks Estate commenced nine years ago, with PALM releasing its Oaks Estate planning study in 2001. This study recommended reinforcing the village qualities of Oaks Estate and forging a link with the heritage railway station in Queanbeyan whilst, at the same time, providing a buffer between the village and heavy traffic on Railway Street and potential development on adjacent land in Queanbeyan.

The draft variation responds to the study and the need for opportunities for mixed development and the current commercial leases in Oaks Estate. If adopted, as it has been, it will allow for a range of commercial and light industrial uses in conjunction with residential use.

I will make a personal note here. Over the past six months or so, my office has dealt extensively with problems of leasing which have arisen from the lack of planning in Oaks Estate. I hope that the tabling of this report and the government response will go a long way towards rectifying the leasing problems which have arisen in Oaks Estate, hence ending the anxiety of leaseholders there.

The committee recommends that draft variation 207 be adopted so that planning can occur in a strategic framework, instead of the piecemeal approach which has persisted in previous years. The committee also believes that the process for the Oaks Estate master plan should begin immediately. I note that the minister has made the undertaking that it will happen as a priority. I look forward to a successful outcome of that master planning process for the benefit of all the people of Oaks Estate, and recommend the report to the Assembly.

MRS BURKE

(5.07): I thank my colleague, Mrs Dunne, for her statements on Oaks Estate. I am pleased to congratulate the government, too, and welcome the government's response on this. I appreciate the work the committee has done on the report, and the time taken.

Given that members of the Oaks Estate community often feel like forgotten people, I am pleased to see this move forward. It has taken some considerable time since 2001, when things were ticking over. It has been going on for years, as we have heard. Notwithstanding that, I congratulate the planning minister and the committee for their work and look forward to the developments happening in Oaks Estate down the track.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Report No 19

MRS DUNNE (5.08): I present the following report:

Planning and Environment-Standing Committee-Report No. 19-Draft Variation No. 210 to the Territory Plan-Deakin Section 35 Block 2 (site of Former Deakin Motor Inn) and Section 35 Block 28 (Canberra West Bowling Club, also known as the West Deakin Hellenic Bowling Club) Commercial E Policy and Residential Use, dated 16 June 2003, together with a copy of the extracts of the relevant minutes of proceedings.

I seek leave to move a motion authorising the report for publication.


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