Page 657 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 30 March 2021
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planning minister and fellow member for Brindabella, Mick Gentleman, confirmed the government would not sell the adjacent toilet block. Madam Speaker, as you well know, our community was thrilled. Finally, after a long campaign, the community believed they had seen off the golden arches once and for all. But, in recent days, I understand the owner of the site has chosen to terminate the lease of the Chisholm Family Tavern.
Now, my 12 years in real estate before I entered this place tells me that you do not terminate the lease of a good tenant who pays their rent on time without a good reason. Many have speculated what those reasons might be. Have they found a new tenant that they feel would be more commercially viable in the long term, or are they choosing to allow a vacant and boarded up commercial premises sit and gather dust until the community submit to their will and reluctantly accept whatever development is foisted upon them? I remind the house that a development application for a fast-food outlet on this site has been rejected twice, a fact that the owners of the Chisholm shopping centre continue to ignore, as well as their own community. Just pushing through their McHappy meal of bad ideas in the face of strong community opposition is so disappointing, but it is not surprising.
As a small business person, I am proud to be the ACT Greens spokesperson for business. Contrary to popular belief, mine is a political party filled with successful businesspeople. I am committed to supporting small and family sized businesses that create jobs and provide social and economic opportunities for our city and our community.
I appeal to the owners of the Chisholm shopping centre: the community understands your desire and requirements to maintain a commercially viable shopping centre. But we need you to understand that the shopping centre is more than just a means for profit. It is a meeting hub, a community centre, a place of belonging. You own a big chunk of community and you owe it to that community to engage them earnestly and enthusiastically in the development of their suburban centre. The community and people that I represent have made themselves crystal clear. We do not want multinational corporations sinking their claws into our city at the expense of thriving local businesses.
Yerrabi electorate—community events
MS ORR (Yerrabi) (5.42): I rise to report another busy period out in the wonderful electorate of Yerrabi. During the past couple of weeks I have caught up with some of the terrific sports groups throughout Yerrabi. I enjoy catching up for coffee with the leaders of community and sporting groups alike. It allows me to gain an insight into how I can better represent their needs and help to address any issues they are experiencing.
I have also made an effort to visit plenty of fabulous residents who call the electorate of Yerrabi their home—from a Giralang resident who wanted me to see an issue with trees blocking the sun into his house, to meeting several residents who all speak a different mother language, to film their message to celebrate International Mother Language Day for 2021.
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