Page 219 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 6 March 2007
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
land releases and continuing delays in redeveloping multi-unit public housing sites that have long been decommissioned. The Stanhope government has seen this problem escalate slowly. That is right: this has not happened overnight; it has been happening, yes, all over Australia but it did not happen overnight. Over the past five years or more, it seems he could have acted but has left it until midnight to do so.
On 25 February this year, I again floated the idea of mixed housing options or mixed use, as it is known in Europe, to approach Canberra’s housing crisis in a very unique and lateral-thinking way. The housing industry sector has offered terrific solutions over the years to the Stanhope government which, I believe, is simply not listening or, because of his fiscal mismanagement, is unable to implement many of the great ideas.
There are examples of innovative mixed housing options in Australia on which the government could draw, perhaps, a few now. Kelvin Grove in Brisbane and Christie Walk in Adelaide are two examples that come to mind. I take the example of the future use of multi-unit public housing complex sites which no longer meet current housing needs. These sites could be used as a springboard to provide more affordable housing in Canberra.
The Liberal opposition considers the concept of utilising several tracts of government-owned sites to provide several forms of housing options within a 10-kilometre radius of the city, which are close to good transport links, as a good starting point. Revitalised communities can emerge, blending all forms of social housing with private housing. The Stanhope government already knows many of the solutions. What is needed is decisive action and leadership. Land use in Canberra should not only be considered from an economic perspective; it is also about ensuring that the right number and mix of dwelling types will be constructed at any given site.
The fundamental right of any human being, after all, is a roof over their head. High-value locations in close proximity to town centres or along possible public transport corridors are where the real opportunities exist to build viable and sustainable communities. Any new, mixed housing options could go a long way to providing liveable and affordable housing and engage new environmental urban design, which should attract community-minded investors committed to developing alternative housing forms in the ACT.
The opposition supports the distinct need for a longer term affordable housing strategy in the ACT. It will be enlightening to see the outcomes of the Chief Minister’s affordable housing taskforce set up in August 2006. I understand that is due to report shortly. It will remain to be seen just how capable, both fiscally and politically, the Stanhope government is of delivering on this vital policy issue.
MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Minister for the Arts) (4.23): I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this matter today, which certainly is of great importance to the community. We agree that there is nothing more fundamental to the wellbeing of anybody than access to safe, appropriate, affordable accommodation. The government has recognised this and has reflected it in our actions and in our key planning documents such as the Canberra plan, the social plan, the spatial plan and the homelessness strategy.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .