Page 1047 - Week 04 - Thursday, 22 April 2021
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with the growth in innovative transport options like e-scooters. Despite all the talk of active travel, the government has no long-term plan to deliver a connected cycle network for the whole of Canberra. We also need to avoid really glaring mistakes like the electrical towers in Holt, which have produced a gross disadvantage for existing land and home owners in west Belconnen.
What would I bring to the planning portfolio? Firstly, I would bring ears to listen to my community and to see what outcomes they would like to see in the electorate of Ginninderra. I think there is a place for exploration of what we would like to see Canberra look like in 50 years, to draw together the best and brightest minds in urban planning, environmental protection and climate change strategy. We should have the best minds come here, while acknowledging that we are close to borders in some areas, and say what could be done to preserve the character of this bush capital and meet these other priorities.
Obviously, I am new to the role, and I welcome input and ideas from all Canberrans, including members of this Assembly. My door is open.
On the more micro level, as members would be aware, I am very interested in the proposed development at Kippax Fair. I have a survey running at the moment to test the feelings of the community about the proposed sale and development—in particular, the development onto the oval. I wonder, as many do as they talk with me, whether there are options other than taking away a significant green space.
I am really excited, as I said in my opening remarks, to have the responsibility in this shadow capacity for planning and land management. I will be prompting the government towards good ideas and good outcomes to make this bush capital a place that we can all be proud of.
MS VASSAROTTI (Kurrajong—Minister for the Environment, Minister for Heritage, Minister for Homelessness and Housing Services and Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction) (10.55): I rise in support of the appropriation bill, including a range of new measures that the government is pursuing to substantially lift the quality and sustainability of the design and construction of new buildings, repair landscapes and protect our environment and heritage. These measures will help us to meet the objectives that the government has committed to in the parliamentary and governing agreement.
In relation to sustainable building and construction, while Canberrans are committed to climate action, many of our buildings are lagging. Too often we have seen new apartments that do not meet community expectation. While there has been significant reform in this area, there is more work to be done.
In the 2020-21 budget, the government has committed $800,000 to a second stage of building quality reforms to improve the ACT’s building regulatory system and lift practices across the construction industry. Under this stage the government will accelerate work to address the issues of licensing and accountability for people designing, building, certifying and contracting for off-the-plan.
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