Page 1577 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 March 2012
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compact city, preserving the suburban character that Canberrans value but at the same time allowing more people to choose to live closer to public transport, thus reducing their commuting times. It means we can begin to continuously improve public transport as it becomes more attractive to commuters and more economically viable. What this also means is that we can reduce demand on our parkway systems so that these can remain very fast and effective roads serving the needs of cross-city traffic.
These are only some of Canberra’s advantages, and there are many others. Our system of open spaces for one means we enjoy substantial active health benefits, clean air and the opportunity to protect our biodiversity. Another is Canberra’s location at the heart of a very beautiful and diverse region offering opportunities for tourism, food production and renewable energy generation. The Canberra community know what advantages Canberra has. They have outlined this to the government through the time to talk process, and they have reinforced the message in the consultation on the draft planning strategy.
Canberrans understand and desire a more sustainable city. They understand urban intensification in strategic areas can protect the overall character of Canberra, add to our amenity and vibrancy, improve access and improve social participation. They understand strategic intensification can provide greater housing choice while protecting the existing suburban character and achieve better sustainability outcomes.
What is important is that areas of urban intensification are areas of exemplary urban design, not just in the buildings but in the public spaces and the amenities they provide. The ACT planning strategy will highlight this in the directions it sets out.
The government understands the importance of good strategic planning, and it also understands that planning policy is a process of continual improvement. The government has a proven track record in investing in and focusing on its strategic planning frameworks. To this end, the government has released draft variation 306, which refines existing residential policies. This variation better differentiates between the residential zones to more fully describe the desired character of each and recognises the importance of solar access and associated sustainability measures. The variation helps to simplify and clarify issues while encouraging greater housing diversity.
The variation has now been referred to the Assembly’s standing committee on planning, and I look forward to the committee’s report on this important piece of work which, in itself, is about improving the sustainability of development outcomes in our city.
The government is committed to its program for planning for a more sustainable Canberra. It commenced this in 2004 and is now revising the directions and actions based on our experience between then and now. The government understands the issues and is addressing the challenges, and it will continue to work with the Canberra community to ensure that its vision for a sustainable Canberra is achieved.
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (3.51): I welcome the opportunity to speak on an important issue: the sustainable planning of the ACT. It is
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