Page 1863 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 May 2013
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opposition. Mr Hanson, I have talked to you already this afternoon once. I do not want to have to raise this again with members on either side. Mr Corbell.
MR CORBELL: On 15 March this year, as the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, I directed under section 158 of the Planning and Development Act 2007 the ACT Planning and Land Authority to refer to me Development Application No. 201222892. The development application sought approval for, among other things, construction of a new four-storey office building on block 5 section 32, Bruce. The proposed office building will be occupied by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
On 10 April this year I decided to consider the application. On the same date I decided to approve the application using my powers under section 162 of the Planning and Development Act. In deciding the application, I gave careful consideration to the requirements of the territory plan, the advice of the Environment Protection Authority, the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate, ActewAGL, the Conservator of Flora and Fauna, the leasing section and transport planning section of my directorate and, as required by the legislation, the Planning and Land Authority. I also gave consideration to the representations received by the Planning and Land Authority during the public notification period for the application that occurred in January this year.
I have imposed conditions on the approval of the development application that require, among other things, surrender of a previous approval granted on the same land, variation of the Crown lease for the subject land, sediment and erosion control, tree protection, verge management, and the development and submission of a temporary traffic management plan.
The act provides for specific criteria in relation to the exercise of this power. In this instance, I have used these powers because I consider the proposal will provide a substantial public benefit, particularly by enabling timely commencement of construction works in excess of $15 million to proceed without further delay. The use of my power will also provide certainty for the local community about the future development of the site and will provide support to the local building industry.
The proposed development will also enable the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to relocate their services and staff, currently spread across four tenancies, to a single building, leading to greater efficiency for the services provided by the institute and keeping the institute in the location of Fern Hill in Bruce.
The proposed redevelopment of the site will achieve an object of the territory plan by ensuring continuation of working opportunities in close proximity to existing living opportunities in the suburb of Bruce. The proposed development contributes to the realisation of the long-standing planning objectives for this part of Bruce.
Section 161(2) of the act specifies that if I decide an application I must table a statement in the Assembly not later than three sitting days after the day of the decision. I have tabled that statement today, providing a description of the development, details of the land where the development is proposed to take place, the name of the applicant, the details of my decision for the application and my reasons for the decision.
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