Page 3689 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2013
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MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (11.47): I rise today to support Dr Bourke’s motion and to thank him for bringing it forward. This motion allows us to reflect on this last year in government. I flag that I will not be supporting Mr Hanson’s amendment. I see no benefit at all for the community in Mr Hanson’s amendment. But I do see benefits outlined in Dr Bourke’s motion and I will repeat those.
They include creating opportunity and a more liveable city, being a healthier and smarter community, growing a stronger and more diverse economy, focusing on urban renewal as our city grows, and delivering important reforms that will ensure Canberra remains a progressive city that fosters opportunity for people to work, study and do business, and ensure that all Canberrans are able to prosper in the long term. They are very good benefits, I think, for the ACT community.
In the last year Brindabella has seen many new improvements in the area with many more to come in the next three years. Urban renewal has been a key concern in the electorate, with many residents keen to engage in the process of local improvements in the area, with this year showing some transformational changes around iconic Tuggeranong areas.
A new major development was recently announced for Greenway lakefront named Southquay. Southquay follows along the line of the accepted Tuggeranong master plan, delivering 1,000 units as well as room for more vital commercial space. This development will assist in invigorating the Tuggeranong town centre into an even more appealing place to spend time.
In addition to the new commercial areas proposed in Southquay, existing commercial space in Canberra’s south will also be improved by the now approved variation 317 to the territory plan, the Kambah town centre master plan. Kambah will also benefit from urban renewal. For those who use Kambah shops frequently, you will understand the frustration shown in the area arising from its needing redevelopment. Variation 317 serves to do just that. The commercial operators are able to look at the growth in demand currently experienced in Tuggeranong. This is especially vital for the current supermarket at the site, which has been unable to grow with Tuggeranong. Its expansion will enable it to continue to keep up with demand.
Another positive variation to the territory plan in Brindabella has been variation 315, which allows for a new fire station to be built in Calwell-Conder. Following on from community consultation, the proposed development that has come from this variation will ensure that as south Tuggeranong continues to grow, essential services will grow with it.
This government, however, does not just stop at urban renewal. It has been planning for Canberra’s future but it is also planning for Brindabella’s future healthcare needs. As we have heard spoken about on several occasions, the popularity and success of the nurse-led walk-in centre at the Canberra Hospital has allowed us to look at bringing them into the town centres, close to accessible public transport and parking, to ensure they are easy to use. I am proud to be part of a government that is continuing to work on this commitment and that has, as part of the recent budget, funded the
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