Page 1267 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 11 May 2021
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MR DAVIS: A further supplementary. Minister, in addition to teachers, what other groups do you actively and regularly consult when reflecting on the academic performance of students?
MS BERRY: I think the Affiliated Schools Program that we have with the University of Canberra. I listen to the teachers and trainers at the University of Canberra about their experiences with improving the profession of teaching in the ACT by supporting teachers through the Affiliated Schools Program; they are another group of experts that I would consider, again paying very close attention to what the teachers say as far as what supports are needed.
But I do also pay very close attention to what students tell us as well and in the consultations that we had in developing the future of education strategy we had over 2,700 representations from students about their experiences and what they would like to see as far as their education experience in schools is concerned, and that is why we have a student-centred approach in our education system in the ACT, because that is what students told us they wanted to see. Of course the Australian Education Union and P&Cs as well.
Planning—Territory Plan
MS CLAY: My question is to the Minister for Planning and Land Management. IÂ have heard about a lot of brand new developments in Belconnen that are connecting gas as the default option. This is a problem for the climate, and it will also lead to health risks and big bills for those unlucky residents. Community members have told me that Environment Planning and Sustainable Development are saying that there are currently no mandated requirements for new buildings to be all electric and it would require a change to the Territory Plan. What changes would the government need to make to ensure developers are no longer connecting and installing gas in brand new infill developments?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Clay for the question. I am proud as minister for planning to have removed the obligation on developers to connect gas to new suburbs in greenfield areas. I think that has helped drive a change across the development sector. In regard to gas mains in brownfield areas or denser development that we are doing across the territory, it would mean a change to the Territory Plan. We would need to work with the community, particularly the development community, and, of course, some of the key stakeholders, like ActewAGL, Icon Water and the other groups to ensure that we can deliver that in a timely manner. But it is, of course, something we are working on and I hope to see that occur in the not-too-distant future.
MS CLAY: What are the time frames for that work you are doing with those stakeholders?
MR GENTLEMAN: That work has already begun. We have begun talking to stakeholders. In fact, I met with the Master Builders Association last Friday and talked about denser development along transport corridors and local centres. They are
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