Page 1492 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 6 April 2011
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They were curious to know what the process is for the sale of land by direct sale, amongst other things. It was a very constructive meeting. If the government was genuinely interested in doing this sort of consultation, they would have done it before now. However, there just seems to be so much secrecy about the planning process and about how decisions are made in this town. I think that sentiment was very clearly expressed at the meeting on 28 March.
This motion is all about raising this as an issue for discussion in this place. Ultimately it is the Assembly here which determines the processes which are put in place through planning legislation. It is important that we constantly review how we consult and how the government consults. It would be a shame to have to put in very strict requirements on how a government should consult. But, quite frankly, that is what this place may well be forced to do if the government continues to fail to consult well with the community.
We need to know the status of master plans around Canberra. We have so many out there and they are vague. How do they actually interact with the territory plan? Which one overrides the other? Which one is actually providing the certainty for businesses to invest, for residents when they move to an area, for traders, for everyone? I want to know the status of the 2002 Jamison master plan. I would like to know the plans for the sale of land around the Jamison Group Centre. And I really would like to know who is actually responsible for consultation.
We had the Government Architect say last week in an article that developers are responsible for consulting, and that may well be the case. But the fact is that the government have not actually created a culture of consultation or actually demanded that developers consult. Developer consultation is probably sometimes lacking, but so is the government’s. That means nobody is actually doing any consultation. ACTPLA state that they notify when they do not consult. Who is actually doing the consultation if they are not doing it?
I urge you all to support this motion. I think it is very important and it sets an important precedent, as we come to other decisions on matters like this in this place, for confronting these issues in a civil and structured manner.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Minister for Gaming and Racing) (6.04): I thank Mr Coe for bringing this matter forward this evening. I agree with some elements of his contribution tonight, and certainly in the amendment that I have circulated I pick up on a number of the points that Mr Coe has raised and acknowledge some statements of fact. I also sought through the amendment to clarify the government’s position in relation to a number of the pertinent issues that have been raised. I also note that Ms Le Couteur has foreshadowed some amendments as well that I can indicate from the outset the government is supportive of.
It goes without saying that the Jamison Group Centre, as with all of our group centres, is an important focus for the local community in that area of Canberra. They will continue to be important, in part because of the opportunities for improved amenity that will come from enhanced development in many of these areas. Group and local
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