Page 3786 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 24 August 2011
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accommodation and that Cox Architects have been engaged to identify a suitable site for the most appropriate procurement process, the most appropriate tenants and the building specifications for the project. Judging from the comments across the chamber this afternoon and in previous debates on this matter, there appears to be a consensus on the importance of this project for the people of Gungahlin. So I look forward to the support of all members for my amendment to Ms Hunter’s amendment.
A dedicated office building in Gungahlin will bring new employment opportunities to the district. It will bring more people and more activity to the Gungahlin town centre. It will increase the patronage of businesses and services already on offer in the Gungahlin town centre. It will also, importantly, act as a catalyst for more developments in the centre so that more small businesses are able to take advantage of the increased activity in the Gungahlin town centre. It will create options for people who live in Gungahlin to work closer to where they live.
This year’s budget provided $150,000 to progress work on the new office building in Gungahlin. Cox Architects will identify a suitable site in Gungahlin for a 7,000 square metre building and associated parking. The building can be government or privately owned. Cox Architects will identify the most appropriate procurement process to ensure the best outcome for the territory, ensuring those who have purchased commercial land in Gungahlin are not disadvantaged. Cox will also provide advice on which government staff would be the most appropriate tenants for the building and the requirements of the building in terms of base fit-out to meet the needs of those most appropriate tenants.
The government is committed to delivering a public service office block in Gungahlin that will maximise productivity and provide a safe and professional workplace for those ACT government staff who serve our community. This proposed facility in Gungahlin will again be delivered in a way that meets our responsibility to the environment and will contribute to our greenhouse gas reduction targets. It will also deliver the most financially responsible option for the budget and for ACT taxpayers. These are principles that not only underpin the delivery of the Gungahlin project but, indeed, the government office accommodation strategy.
I commend my amendment to the Assembly and look forward to the support of all members for the delivery of an office block in Gungahlin. I formally move the amendment circulated in my name to Ms Hunter’s proposed amendment:
Insert subparagraph (1)(g):
“(g) the ACT Government’s immediate priority is the delivery of the Gungahlin office accommodation and Cox Architects have been engaged to identify a suitable site, the most appropriate procurement process, the most appropriate tenants and the building specifications for this project;”.
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (3.54): I am speaking to the amendment. We will not be supporting this amendment because it is not true. I think that that is where you have got to start when you are looking at these things. Mr Barr is asking us to believe that this is their priority. Let us just compare the two. We have
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