Page 2391 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 30 July 2019
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documents include a draft letter from you to the War Memorial saying that you were supportive of the proposed arrangements when there has been no community consultation?
MR STEEL: I thank Ms Le Couteur for her question. The Australian War Memorial is proposing to develop a site to allow for the expansion of its collections and provide modern research facilities. The memorial has proposed to construct a permanent car park to the north of Treloar Crescent, on currently zoned nature reserve land managed by the ACT government to provide additional parking spaces for use by the Australian War Memorial and visitors to Mount Ainslie. An interim proposal to use the area for a construction site compound and construction parking has been raised. We have indicated that support for the proposal will be dependent on the resolution of land use permission issues, and ecological and heritage issues through appropriate approvals.
Transport Canberra and City Services are currently working with the Australian War Memorial to identify the most appropriate solution, having regard to environmental impact and community expectations.
Ms Le Couteur: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Resume your seat, please, minister.
Ms Le Couteur: I specifically asked why you support it when there is no community consultation. You have not even gone close to answering my question.
MADAM SPEAKER: Minister, go to Ms Le Couteur’s point, please.
MR STEEL: Thank you, Madam Speaker. When I was interrupted, I was saying that TCCS is currently working with the Australian War Memorial to identify the most appropriate solution, having regard to environmental impact and community expectations. In my response to Dr Brendan Nelson on the issue, I have been very clear that the ACT government has requested additional analysis of the ecological, heritage and environmental impacts of the proposed construction licence area. If the impacts of the proposed construction licence area are assessed as acceptable, the provision of a permanent car park could be an acceptable planning outcome. Obviously, there is a lot of work that is still happening in relation to this matter and I look forward to updating the Assembly as that progresses.
MS LE COUTEUR: Minister, given that answer—which did not include community consultation—when are you proposing to consult with the community, or is it not considered necessary to consult with the community before turning a nature reserve into a large car park?
MR STEEL: I thank the member for her question. We are not the proponent of the proposal; it has been put forward by the Australian War Memorial. I imagine that they will certainly be considering community expectations and that as this moves forward through the planning process and through Minister Gentleman’s department there will be requirements in relation to community consultation.
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