Page 796 - Week 02 - Thursday, 23 February 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The inquiry presented the committee with a number of complex issues. One such issue was that of deconcessionalisation, the process of change of lease from discounted value to market value. The task for the committee was to decide whether section 42 block 15, Griffith, should be rezoned. The task was not to examine deconcessionalisation but it was a related process. This committee has found that ACTPLA needs to improve these deconcessionalisation processes so that there is transparency and a better understanding of the process by the community.
The committee also found that another matter of great interest to the community was the financial affairs of the Brumbies. The committee was mindful that these issues were of interest. However, it was of the view that these matters were not relevant to the task it was set; that is, to inquire into draft variation to the territory plan 307.
The committee is mindful of how Canberra’s inner and older suburbs are regarded by residents and those interested in the heritage aspects of Walter Burley Griffin’s original plan for areas such as Griffith. Related to this is the community perception of ownership. Even though block 15 is privately owned, the nature of the site being adjacent to public open space, together with its bowling greens, which at one point were used by the community, results in a sense of the site being part of the public realm. However, the committee is also mindful that much of section 42 block 15 has been underutilised for several years. To do nothing is not an option.
I would like to thank the other members of the committee, Ms Caroline Le Couteur and Mr Alistair Coe, who worked hard to ensure this report was tabled today. Thanks also to our committee secretary, Trevor Rowe, and to all those in the Committee Office who assisted Trevor. Your hard work and your support are very much appreciated. Thank you also to those who submitted to the inquiry or who appeared before the committee.
MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (5.01): This has been a report of considerable community interest, and I note a relevant member of the community, Dr David Denman, is here in the audience today. In fact, it is his second visit to the Assembly today because we had hoped that this report would be presented a bit earlier in the day.
I would also like to echo the chair’s comments thanking the contribution of our secretary, Trevor Rowe, Lydia Chung, as always, and of course Ms Porter and Mr Coe as my fellow committee members.
This has been a very interesting and difficult variation for us to look through, because it is clearly a situation where there has been an incredible amount of community concern. I think that one of the few things that everyone would agree on would be that the current situation on the Brumbies’ block cannot continue. There are three bowling greens there which have just turned into weeds. It is not working for anyone, how it is at present. But I think when I say that, that might be unfortunately the only thing that absolutely everybody would agree on.
But I am really pleased that the committee have worked, I think, very well. We have demonstrated how Assembly committees should work. We have put a unified report
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video