Page 1647 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 2 June 2021
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The reality is that Canberra needs more homes, and it needs them over the next five years. The people most at risk in our city need more affordable and public housing options. The houses have to be built. That is why I believe it is important that all members here engage with their electorates on how we can deliver more housing with community support, not how we can stop, stymie and seek to score the most miniscule of political points on the development of public housing.
Turning now to the Suburban Land Agency and its sales and consultation processes, consultation and engagement are a very important part of meeting the government’s commitments. The ACT government does not just want to increase the number of homes available for Canberrans. We desire to build great neighbourhoods and create community spaces alongside the new homes.
Mr Braddock’s motion reflects the government’s ambitions to create such spaces, more employment opportunities close to where people live, and more amenities for residents of Gungahlin. Mr Braddock’s motion also compliments Ms Orr’s motion from earlier this year, which very eloquently set out the needs and ambitions of Gungahlin residents. This means the government is closely listening to residents about their concerns, and is responding.
That is why last month the CEO of the Suburban Land Agency met directly with the Gungahlin Community Council to hear from them about the concerns that led to Mr Braddock’s motion. The SLA recently undertook a process that serves as a model for what commercial and community development will look like in Gungahlin. That model is the work they have undertaken from the Belconnen town centre.
A series of surveys and community forums were held involving community groups, individuals, businesses and local members; all participated. The SLA used that feedback to develop a place design brief. That brief sets out the non-financial goals for the development in the town centre. Through an appropriately structured sale process, the Suburban Land Agency can then ensure that anyone who buys the land meets these non-financial objectives.
The government has heard loud and clear that people want more non-residential development in the town centre. This motion points to the ongoing planning discussion around the town centre and asks for community input into future changes. It asks for land sales to be for the primary purpose of employment generation, commercial and community use during that time.
Already, in relation to recent sales in Gungahlin, the Suburban Land Agency met with the Gungahlin Community Council and incorporated some adjustments to their sale processes to respond to concerns. As a result of that engagement, the SLA will offer the Gungahlin community direct input into the future sales program. Future sales will be structured to deliver commercial, employment and community outcomes, both directly and indirectly. Both the sales mechanism and the non-financial requirement of sales will reflect that consultation in the Gungahlin town centre.
With the steps that the Deputy Chief Minister has already undertaken, and with this motion, there is a clear and public framework to guide the SLA’s work. The CEO of
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