Page 2624 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 25 September 2007

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Minister, as this is the third and final year of the programmed increases in these fees, why have the fees increased by almost 120 per cent over three years instead of 100 per cent as promised?

MR HARGREAVES: The figure that was actually promised was that the base fee would increase by 100 per cent over three years and there would be other increases such as—I don’t know the exact formula, but it was either CPI or AWE; something like that. If Mr Smyth forgets, I suggest that he goes back and has a look at the original statement.

MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth?

MR SMYTH: Minister, will you now take action to ensure that the increases applying to the objects placed in public places are only increased by 100 per cent as promised?

MR HARGREAVES: I indicated the very first time that we increased these fees that the increase in the base would go up to 100 per cent over three years, but it would also include the normal prices that we would see—either CPI, as I said, or AWE. There is nothing new about that from the original announcement as far as I am aware. These fees have been brought into line. We have had this debate in the past. They are still fairly cheap compared with other jurisdictions. They are now at a sufficient level and we will move on into the future with normal increases without having to continue those 33 per cent increases.

Planning—industrial land

MS PORTER: My question is to the Minister for Planning. Can the minister advise the Assembly on what the government is doing to provide more industrial land to broaden the economic base of the ACT?

MR BARR: I thank Ms Porter for the question. For the benefit of those opposite, of course, ever mindful the government is of the need to provide opportunities for ACT businesses to grow and diversify, this government is undertaking a study to investigate the release of further industrial land in the eastern broadacre area. This eastern broadacre area is located along the eastern edge of the territory. It includes the Majura-Symonston corridor, which is close to the New South Wales border, the Majura and Monaro highways, Canberra International Airport and, of course, the industrial areas of Hume and Fyshwick.

The study will include a detailed land study and an analysis of the needs of industry in terms of future land provision. It will also cover the outcomes of consultations with key stakeholders, including Queanbeyan City Council, the New South Wales government, the commonwealth government, the defence department and other major lessees in the area, such as Canberra International Airport.

The study will, of course, build upon a range of recent studies in the Jerrabomberra valley, the airport master plan and the Hume (Expansion) Industrial Planning Study. It


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