Page 1075 - Week 04 - Thursday, 22 April 2021
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improve. So I am looking forward to more formal ongoing consultation as the review progresses.
The next phase of consultation will focus on the district level planning, and this will start next month. So there will be a mixture of targeted workshops and online engagement as well. Consultation will involve conversations with industry and with the community, and I look forward to hearing what our community has to say about what they would like to see in their local area.
MS CLAY: When will key stakeholders like the Environmental Defenders Office, the Conservation Council and the local community councils have a chance to comment on the details of this new planning system and on the draft legislation?
MR GENTLEMAN: That will start, as I said, next month. But I will say that EPSTD have been working through this project for quite a while. They have been talking to various stakeholder groups in this process. Those engagements have begun, but the more formal part, as I mentioned, will start next month. We are looking forward to feedback from industry and community representatives through, of course, the environment and planning forums as well. Officials have also carefully reviewed comments on development applications, Territory Plan variations and committee inquiries to identify any trends and issues that the community has with the planning system.
MR PARTON: Minister, having conceded, as you did in your first answer, that the current planning system has been a failure, would you concede that the current drawn-out review process is also a complete failure?
MR GENTLEMAN: Certainly not. It has been very engaged, I think, with the community, and what we are looking at is something that I think Mr Parton reflected on during the election campaign last year where he would like to see a completely different city. He wants to see urban sprawl right across the ACT, not an efficient economic city. He wants to see low-rise buildings go across into Kowen Forest, across the Murrumbidgee into rural areas. It is very clear what the Canberra Liberals would like to see. What we are delivering is what the Canberra community has asked for, and we will engage with them to deliver what they have asked.
Multicultural affairs—legislation
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Minister, can you please outline the rationale for the proposed Multicultural Recognition Act.
MS CHEYNE: I thank Mr Pettersson for the question. As members know, the ACT is proudly—
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Please ignore interjections. Indeed, ignore Mr Hanson as best you can.
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