Page 504 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
It is worth noting that in the 2012-13 fiscal year the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal upheld the directorate’s original decision on 16 of the 17 matters reviewed. This is a very good result that would not be achievable except for the carefully considered decisions made by the Planning and Land Authority on the basis of well-documented development applications. It is important that there is trust in the ability of the Planning and Land Authority to have its decisions considered by the tribunal and an assurance that the decisions are rigorous, robust and defendable.
Commencing on 1 July 2013, the Construction Occupations Registrar introduced an improved form for the minimum documentation requirements for building approval lodgement through classes 1 to 10 of residential development, confirming the minimum documentation requirements under legislation applicable for building approval lodgements for classes 1 and 10 residential dwellings. This form is in essence a completeness check for lodging building approval documents. Although the completeness check is relatively new, the evidence shows a dramatic improvement in the lodgement of required documents.
Prior to the check, audits of documentation were showing 85 per cent of building approvals failing. Since the introduction of the completeness check, the rate of compliance with documents required has greatly improved and is currently tracking at about 96 per cent compliance.
The review of the territory plan, through such tools as variation 306, is an ongoing process. It aims to balance the requirements for an easy to use planning document that provides clear guidance on development within the territory, whilst being comprehensive enough to cover all possible development types and forms. This includes stand-alone houses and multi-unit dwelling developments, community facilities, office block developments, industrial uses, parklands and mixed-use developments, all the way through to major infrastructure developments of the territory and policies and projects of national importance. The territory plan provides guidance on all of these things and more.
The changes introduced through variation 306 mean that it is better suited to responding to the needs of the community and industry today and into the future. Variation 306 responded to submissions received by industry and the community to ensure that the final variation balances the interests of all and provides for the needs of the users of the document.
So in closing, the government is committed to the strength and sustainability of the Canberra economy. The government has also committed to the construction sector. We work with industry and the community to get the balance right. Changes to policy are made to enhance the long-term prosperity and amenity of our city through the construction sector.
I move:
Omit all words after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
“(1) notes that the ACT Government has introduced an economic stimulus package that is designed to:
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video