Page 877 - Week 03 - Thursday, 30 March 2006
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Draft variation 165 proposes to implement the outcomes of the open space network project which identified a number of areas that appear to be part of the formal open space network but are not identified by the territory plan as being urban open space. This includes providing statutory protection for school ovals and playing fields, removing the X overlay to include open space in public land and identifying additional sites to be added to the urban open space land use policy.
This variation was released for public comment on 23 July 2004, with comments closing on 3 September 2004. A total of 22 written submissions were received during that period and a number of minor revisions were made to the variation as a result of the consultation process.
In its report No 18 of November 2005, the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment made three recommendations in relation to the draft variation. The committee’s first recommendation was that the proposed variation should proceed subject to recommendations. The second recommendation was that planning reform address landscaping and open space requirements in commercial land use policy areas. This recommendation will be considered by the planning authority as part of our territory plan review process. The committee’s final recommendation was that the land use policies applicable to Percival Hill, Nicholls, Sterling Park, Yarralumla, section 51 Aranda and part of Section 78 Griffith be reviewed.
As the blocks in Griffith have previously been identified by the neighbourhood planning process for other community uses, it is not considered appropriate to add them to the open space network. Sterling Park is reserved as national capital use under the national capital plan. Therefore the committee’s recommendations of a public land overlay on the territory plan would not be appropriate. Percival Hill and section 51 Aranda are within the hills, ridges and buffers land use policy and will have a PC nature reserve overlay applied to clarify their public land status. The final variation has been changed to reflect this.
This variation represents a significant achievement on the part of this government to analyse and confirm a large number of important sites throughout Canberra as open space. In total, of the 300 sites investigated, around 134 will gain additional protection from being designated as urban open space, hills, ridges and buffers. Seventy-six ACT government schools will gain additional protection and 59 sites around commercial centres gain recognition for their importance as public spaces.
This variation delivers on the government’s commitment to identify and protect the unique open space network that contributes so strongly to Canberra’s intrinsic character. It is with great pride that I commend this variation to the Assembly.
Papers
Mr Corbell presented the following papers:
Road Transport (General) Act, pursuant to section 216—Nominal Defendant (Australian Capital Territory)—Annual report 2005, dated 7 March 2006.
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