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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 8 Hansard (19 August) . . Page.. 2828 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

Land (Planning and Environment) Act, pursuant to section 29, Variation No 210 to the Territory Plan-Deakin Section 35 Blocks 2 and 28-Commercial E Policy and Residential Use, together with background papers, a copy of the summaries and reports, and a copy of any direction or report required.

I ask for leave to make a statement in relation to the papers.

Leave granted.

MR CORBELL: In October 2002 draft variation 210 to the Territory Plan, concerning blocks 2 and 28, section 35 Deakin, was released for public comment. These two blocks are currently the sites of the former Deakin Motor Inn, block 2, and the Canberra West Bowling Club, now known as the West Deakin Hellenic Bowling Club, block 28. The draft variation proposed to change the land-use policy of the subject sites from entertainment, accommodation and leisure to commercial e-corridors and office sites, and to amend the existing area specific policy to allow residential use, health facilities and other associated minor activities on section 35, blocks 2 and 28.

A total of four submissions were received in response to the exhibited draft variation. All four submissions expressed in-principle support for the draft variation, although all submissions raised concerns about traffic management on Kent Street and two raised additional concerns about access to the development from Kent Street. Following consideration of the submissions received and further review, the draft variation has been revised. The recommended final variation of March 2003 differs from the draft, in that an additional control has been added which requires residential development to comply with noise attenuation standards.

This is aimed at achieving an acceptable noise environment for people living in commercial activity areas. The Standing Committee on Planning and Environment has considered the revised draft variation and, in its report No 19 of June this year, recommended that the draft variation be adopted, subject to eight conditions or qualifications. The government is happy to accept the recommendation of the committee, but I should make the following comments about two of the conditions or qualifications. These relate to traffic and building storey height.

In relation to traffic, the committee recommended that a single access point from Kent Street be used by the developments on both blocks 2 and 28. In principle, this view is supported. However, Roads ACT has advised that a traffic assessment study needs to be undertaken at the development application stage, at which time Roads ACT will be able to fully assess and resolve the required works and services. ACTPLA will ensure that a site access arrangement is agreed between all parties, that is, the lessees of blocks 2 and 28 and Roads ACT, prior to the granting of the development approval. In saying that, it is recognised that a traffic study based on actual development proposals may result in an arrangement that cannot be predicted at this time. The government is, therefore, of the view that the ultimate decision about access must be the one that Roads ACT supports as the best outcome for residents and users of Kent Street.

The committee further recommended that all development in west Deakin be limited to four storeys. Currently, however, the Territory Plan permits only two-storey height

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