Page 3340 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 20 August 2008
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agencies outlining a range of options in terms of compensation. I can indicate that no other sport and recreation organisation will suffer a loss of funds.
Mr Smyth, if you had any understanding of the appropriation within the sport and recreation portfolio, you would be aware that provision is made within the sport and recreation portfolio for emergency assistance for sporting organisations and that there is a budget that is allocated each year for such assistance. That would be the first port of call in terms of providing financial assistance to the organisations affected. If the amount is greater than that budget allocation, the appropriate recourse would be consistent with the Financial Management Act.
Planning—pergolas
MR STEFANIAK: My question is to the Minister for Planning. Minister, on 1 July 2008 Canberra-based company, Patioworld, wrote to you about a range of serious planning concerns under your new system. For instance, under your new system, pergolas—class 10a structures—now take 34 working days to approve when previously they were stamped and approved within 24 hours.
Minister, isn’t your new planning system a nightmare for small operators? What measures are you taking to separate pergolas from large development applications like houses?
MR BARR: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome back Mr Stefaniak and thank him for his question. In relation to the reforms under the new planning system that I note had the support of everyone in this place, a new streamlined process around the lodgement of various forms of development application is in place. There are three tracks: code, merit and impact.
It would appear that some further industry education is required as some of the players within the industry have been lodging applications in the wrong track and that has led to a requirement for notification. Members would be aware that as part of the new system a greater number and type of activities were, in fact, exempted from any planning approval process. The Planning and Land Authority has met, and continues to meet, with relevant stakeholders in order to provide further information and education on how the new system operates.
I do acknowledge the receipt of that particular piece of correspondence from that particular industry group. We continue to meet also with a number of the stakeholders, namely, MBA, HIA and others in relation to further education around how the new system operates because there has been some confusion for some individual operators who have been lodging under the wrong track.
MR STEFANIAK: Minister, why aren’t you taking the issue as seriously as you should be? Only two weeks ago, due to this new system, Patioworld and similar organisations have actually had to lay off workers?
MR BARR: I am taking it very seriously, as is the Planning and Land Authority. Contact was made very quickly with this particular firm in order to address the concerns. The Planning and Land Authority seeks to meet with anyone who is seeking
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