Page 4445 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 30 October 2018
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Dedicating 15 per cent of the government’s annual indicative land release program each year to growing Canberra’s supply of public, community, and affordable housing is fantastic and will go a long way to tackling housing affordability in the ACT.
The ACT housing strategy also complements projects like Ginninderry in Ginninderra and the initiatives underway there, such as the developments of the flexi-living series. Like other new residential areas, 20 per cent of homes at Ginninderry will meet a range of affordability criteria. It is also pleasing to note today’s announcement that Ginninderry will be proceeding to the next approval stage after a rigorous environmental assessment.
When focusing on the provision of affordable housing, it is important that we ensure that Canberra’s renters are not left behind. Safeguards for tenants and the strong support these have already garnered in the community, particularly in the past week, underpin key elements of the ACT housing strategy. Reforms proposed for the Residential Tenancies Act are about fostering fairness in the conditions set by landlords, including increases in rents, and fairness in the decisions that impact tenants, such as whether our dear pets are allowed.
Aside from strengthening the rights of tenants the strategy also aims to grow the supply of affordable private rentals in the ACT and provide targeted advice for tenants and landlords.
The ACT housing strategy is about more than a roof over one’s head. Good, safe housing impacts many facets of our lives, including our employment, education and mental health to name a few. We need to make sure that we have the focus here, and with Minister Berry we absolutely have this focus. I commend the strategy.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Courts construction project update
Ministerial statement
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for the Arts and Cultural Events, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Minister for Business and Regulatory Services and Minister for Seniors and Veterans) (11.19): Before I provide the Assembly with an update on the new ACT law courts project, I would like to take the opportunity to remind members of the genesis and the nature of the project. In December 2013, the government announced that the new court facilities would be the first project in the territory to be delivered by way of a public-private partnership, the PPP model. Among the key benefits of a PPP delivery model is that the government is insulated from delivery risks while the private sector is incentivised to deliver whole-of-life cost efficiencies, innovation and outcome-focused service delivery.
The law courts project provides the Australian Capital Territory with cutting-edge modern court facilities that meet the current and future needs of our justice system. This project represents an investment of $160 million for the ACT government and brings the ACT’s court system into the 21st century with a fit-for-purpose facility that will serve our community for decades to come.
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