Page 2559 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 9 August 2016
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In the last year we also saw the government make changes to the territory plan and in legislation to allow the University of Canberra to develop land for its own purposes for residential use. The government’s decision to allow the UC to operate under a different set of planning rules from other areas in the ACT is yet another example of inequality. It is yet another example whereby we are going to have a two-track planning system in Canberra. And what has been done at the University of Canberra risks undermining the property market in the Belconnen district in particular.
The Mr Fluffy variation, the UC variation and the latest solar access variation are just making the territory plan more complicated. There is no doubt that the territory plan is in need of a complete review, and that is exactly what the Canberra Liberals will do if we are elected to government.
It is unacceptable that the plan has become so complicated that only absolute experts either in the agency or in business understand it. It is unacceptable that people who want to do the right thing and comply with the territory plan can struggle to navigate it because it is just so complicated. It is a document that is well over 2,000 pages—in addition to the Planning and Development Act, in addition to the building code, in addition to all the other rules and regulations. It is just so hard to operate in business in this space. I also feel for the planning assessors that have to work under this regulation. It must be so difficult to make a fair assessment of plans that come before you when you have to make them comply with not only the building code but also 2,000-odd pages of territory plan.
Earlier this year we were pleased to support the government’s planning and development efficiencies bill, which simplified the planning process for complicated developments. The fact that the government brought this bill on shows that even they are aware that this planning process is a mess. After 15 years, the government have to in effect wind back many of the changes that they have brought in. But they have not wound back enough.
The Canberra Liberals have committed to a complete review of the territory plan. We want a planning system that is characterised by certainty, simplicity and equity. The way to achieve this is not through constant tinkering around the edges.
The government’s land release program is simply not working. The cost of land in the ACT is significantly more expensive than that of land across the border, as I said earlier in the debate about the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate. It is disappointing to hear that Canberrans are choosing to move across the border to find cheaper land in New South Wales. It is a problem that we are going to suffer from for many years. These are people that should be making their home in the ACT. These are people that we should be welcoming or encouraging to stay within the territory. Instead, they are choosing to go across the border where they can get affordable land.
This year I was very pleased to introduce a bill to allow unit owners to install their own water meter. It was a straightforward bill I consulted with many constituents and stakeholders about. The bill would have encouraged water conservation as well as
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