Page 1786 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Amendments 15 and 114 respond to the comments made by the scrutiny of bills committee. The explanatory statement, which I will table shortly, has also been revised in light of those comments and I would like to thank committee members for their contributions.
I also draw members’ attention to some significant amendments. Amendments 125 and 126 provide for a further statutory consultation period for the new territory plan of a minimum of 15 working days, which may be extended by regulation. Members are aware of the extensive consultations on the territory plan that has already occurred. This consultation began on 27 May 2005 with the release for public comment of the planning system reform strategic directions paper and technical papers, which included proposals for the framework of a restructured territory plan. This process concluded on 5 August 2005.
In December 2005, the government released its response to the public consultation on these documents. On 13 July 2006, the government released an exposure draft planning and development bill, as well as a draft structure of the territory plan for public comment, which concluded on 31 August in that year.
In November 2006, focus group workshops were held involving industry, community councils and other community groups, as well as members of the general community. The proposed territory plan and key codes were released for public comment in April of this year for a public consultation that ended on 1 June.
Members will be aware that I have appointed an independent assessor to review the outcomes from this consultation and to report back to me. Today I announced that the government will release a final version of the territory plan for public comment in November for a period of four weeks, in accordance with the statutory framework provided for by the government’s amendments. This final consultation period will provide adequate opportunity for the community to comment on any amendments to the plan that result from the assessment of the independent assessor, given the detailed consultation that has taken place so far.
There are a number of amendments proposed to a concept known, as speakers previously have identified, as uses development within the bill. As explained earlier in the presentation speech, the government proposes that there be a single definition of development which includes use of land. This definition will enable the territory plan and the development assessment system to properly assess the impact of proposed development and to place appropriate conditions on the continued operation of that development.
Compliance is also enhanced. Over time this change will allow for the integration of lease administration with development assessment, which will remove duplication that is inherent in the current planning system and will provide for a more efficient and effective administration. Essentially, the new definition of development will mean that development approval is required when a new building is added to land and there is no existing use approval or a new use or change of use and building work is required.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .