Page 1653 - Week 05 - Thursday, 5 May 2016

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If the government is to proceed with any further development outside of what has been outlined in the 2013 master plan, particularly anything that would require territory plan variations, clearly that triggers another process. I have said publicly, and I repeat again, that that process would involve the Assembly planning committee. In the context of this motion today, I think it would also be useful, picking up on the points that Mr Rattenbury has raised, to establish a community reference group—if there is to be any development beyond what has been outlined in the 2013 master plan. I think that is a good way forward, but I need to be clear again that no decision has been made yet to accept all or part—or, in fact, any part—of the unsolicited proposal from the Giants and Grocon.

The government’s position remains supporting the 2013 master plan. But we are open, as we have indicated through the unsolicited proposals process and as has been discussed in this place by Mr Coe and Mr Rattenbury, to new ideas and opportunities that could arise. We are open to hearing those, but if we are to move beyond the 2013 master plan, it requires a process, and that process will involve a community reference group and that process will involve the Assembly planning committee. That process would not necessarily involve a territory plan variation, and all that is entailed with that, in other words, as Mr Rattenbury has identified, years of work.

I want to ensure that the public record accurately reflects that from 2009 to 2013 there was extensive community engagement, including a community survey of 1,000 people, a series of focus groups, presentations, information sessions, further presentations to the Inner South Canberra Community Council and the Kingston and Barton Residents Association, and work done over a period of four years. It is important to acknowledge all of those who have contributed to that work over that time, and that that remains the starting point for government consideration of anything further at Manuka Oval.

I oppose Mr Coe’s amendment and support Mr Rattenbury’s original motion.

MR COE (Ginninderra): Madam Deputy Speaker, in light of the Chief Minister’s comments I would like to make a personal explanation. I seek leave under standing order 46.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Is leave granted?

Mr Barr: Yes.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Coe.

MR COE: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I would like to apologise to the Assembly and to Adjunct Associate Professor David Lamont as well as Mr Lamont for a mistaken identity in a question that I asked at question time today. The question I asked was:

… when did you first become aware that Mr Lamont was to be awarded an adjunct associate professorship from the University of Canberra for none other than contracts, construction and project management?


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