Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 6 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 2145 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

Given that this bill relates to the transitional measures incorporating the GDA and KFDA into the new Land Development Agency, I would like to raise a question about whether there are significant differences between the aims and functions of the new Land Development Agency and the ones specified for the Kingston Foreshore Development Authority and the Gungahlin Development Authority. I hope the minister will clarify this for me.

Both the KFDA and the GDA are required to exercise their functions consistent with the social and economic needs of the territory; in accordance with prudent commercial principles; in consultation with residents of the ACT; in a socially responsible way, having regard to the community; and in compliance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development, which is defined as I mentioned earlier.

I was pleased to see that Minister Corbell's budget press release regarding land development reforms said that the new Land Development Agency would exercise its functions on the same principles. But it was not clear to me how this was to be specified in legislation, given that the Planning and Land Act does not have a statement of how the agency will perform its functions that is equivalent to statements of the GDA and KDFA. Rather, it says that the agency will exercise its functions in accordance with the objectives of the Territory Plan and in accordance with the latest business plan accepted by the minister.

But the draft regulations the minister tabled do not specify these principles for the requirements for the contents of the business plan, and the objectives of the Territory Plan are different, and I understand that if DV 200 passes in the Assembly another set of objectives will apply.

I am not sure where it is expressed that the agency will exercise its functions in a way consistent with the social and economic needs of the territory, or in a socially responsible way, unless the minister plans to direct the agency to include this in the requirements for the agency's business plan, either by regulation or by request in writing.

I did note that the object of the Planning and Land Act says that the overall land and planning system should contribute:

... to the orderly and sustainable development of the

ACT-

consistently with the social, environmental and economic

aspirations of the people of the ACT; and

in accordance with sound financial principles.

But this is quite general and applies to the whole planning and land system rather than to the agency in particular-and contributing consistent with the social, environmental and economic aspirations of the people of the ACT is very different from exercising its functions consistent with the social and economic needs of the territory.

I would like to be assured that there is no watering down of the government's commitment to these principles in the Land Development Agency's aims and directions. Perhaps the minister can point to how he has provided for the agency to exercise its

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .