Page 701 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
not just in public housing complexes. As Mr Parton notes, it is not appropriate to talk about individual complexes. What I can talk about is the work that we have been doing through the Connecting Communities program, which is working particularly with multi-unit sites in order to provide specific support and engagement in activities. I have been engaging personally in relation to some of the issues that residents have suggested.
As Mr Parton notes, there are some physical security measures in place in particular areas. There is also some work that is being done in terms of responding more quickly to maintenance issues that have been occurring on site. In addition, in particular sites there is work that is being done in relation to engaging with support services that may be able to provide ongoing work on particular sites, as well as working with tenants to work out some forms of tenant engagement activities. In relation to individuals, if individuals are having particular concerns, they can work with their housing manager in terms of providing arrangements. That could include a transfer if there are personal safety issues that need to be put in place.
MR PARTON: Minister, will you, as a matter of urgency, fast-track the requests that are on the ground for residents to be transferred to a safer housing environment—these residents who do not place a great deal of faith in the Connected Communities program?
MS VASSAROTTI: I thank Mr Parton for the question. Absolutely, we work with all tenants on their particular circumstances and their arrangements. If there needs to be a change to those arrangements that includes, at particular times, a transfer, then Housing ACT will work closely with those tenants.
MS LEE: Minister, why do you continue to ignore the requests for action from residents living at that complex and also other public housing complexes?
MS VASSAROTTI: I thank Ms Lee for the question. There is absolutely no ignoring of issues that particular housing tenants are facing. There is actually a very proactive body of work that is occurring, primarily through the Connecting Communities program. That includes a range of responses, such as changes to physical spaces, engaging with residents on services that might be required, visibility of housing managers on site and other measures such as security.
Planning—land use
MS CLAY: My question is to the Minister for Planning and Land Management and relates to the current program of development, infill and greenfield targets. The parliamentary and governing agreement requires that at least 70 per cent of new housing development be built within Canberra’s existing footprint. The 2018 ACT Planning Strategy also commits to this target. I was surprised to hear at estimates recently that, of the Suburban Land Agency’s indicative 3,043 dwellings released last year, 41 per cent of dwellings would be built in existing suburbs. How is the government as a whole measuring all of our land releases and developments against our 70 per cent target to make sure that that target is met from one year to the next across all developments?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video