Page 3176 - Week 07 - Thursday, 1 July 2010

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investigate the feasibility of two arterial road alignments which are currently proposed for the Molonglo Valley development.

The study will consider John Gorton Drive from its connection to Coppins Crossing Road to the Molonglo River. It will also consider the east-west arterial road from its intersection with John Gorton Drive to the Tuggeranong Parkway. This investigation will also develop options for the trunk sewer alignment to service a future group centre site.

The Gungahlin town centre roads initiative will investigate the feasibility of implementing road network improvements recommended as part of the Gungahlin town centre transportation study in 2009. The study proposes recommendations to improve access both to and within the Gungahlin town centre and surrounding existing suburbs and forthcoming land release areas.

The Scrivener Dam upgrade study will enable the feasibility study and concept design of works required for the upgrade of Scrivener Dam to be undertaken. These works are required as a result of revised flood estimates for the catchment and changes to the dam’s hazard category. This is needed given the urban development taking place downstream in the Molonglo Valley.

The ICT case management and data warehouse initiative will build on the e-development platform. It will deliver more effective case management, improve customer service, produce faster response times and use sophisticated reporting tools for analysis.

I might take this opportunity to reiterate to the Assembly some additional policy work the government has undertaken. The government is currently seeking public comment on a policy designed to improve solar access for new homes. This will make new developments more environmentally friendly. This policy is contained in draft variation to the territory plan 301. DV301 will mean that 95 per cent of single dwelling blocks in an estate are positioned to enable buildings to have direct sun in winter. The new code contains tables which identify the block size, block dimensions, slope and orientation which make blocks suitable for improved solar access. The draft variation will also streamline the development assessment process by incorporating some Department of Territory and Municipal Services standards into the code.

Draft variation 303 released last Friday will ensure that any building on a new block will not overshadow a neighbouring block by more than a shadow cast by a 1.8 metre fence on the boundary. I urge members of the community and the building industry—perhaps even the media, if there is anyone still here—to take time to have a look at draft variations 301 and 303 and to have their say during this eight-week comment period on each. These variations to the territory plan place the ACT at the forefront of ensuring new housing developments are able to make the most of solar energy.

As you can see, Mr Speaker, this budget is the latest instalment in Labor’s practical work in the planning portfolio. Our investments are focused on practical measures that make a difference to people’s lives, that give Canberrans a say, that maintain our city’s beauty and that help it to continue to develop sustainably into the future. We have made modest, targeted investments over recent years, and we continue this trend


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