Page 3342 - Week 11 - Thursday, 11 November 2021
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seven. So we are already ahead of the pack with regard to retaining teachers here in the ACT.
The task force will look at a whole range of issues, including the teacher shortage, as I said: covering staff absences; continuity in education, particularly around the issues of split classes; teacher and school leader recruitment processes; and attraction and retention processes for teachers in the workforce. Of course, we understand that these teaching shortages are providing challenges for our teaching professionals, and we are absolutely committed to making sure that we work with them, with the setting up of this task force, and the AEU to address this issue.
Housing—affordability
MS ORR: My question is to the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development: can you please update the Assembly on the Suburban Land Agency’s work to deliver more housing and more housing options across Canberra?
MS BERRY: I thank Ms Orr for her question and interest in new housing developments across the ACT. Canberrans have told us that they want a city that is sustainable. They want a city that is diverse and inclusive with a range of affordable housing options. This community values the environment, which is reflected in our goals of 70 per cent of infill for new developments. This community also values inclusion, and that is why we have committed to deliver at least 400 new public housing homes as well as 600 new affordable homes.
The government came to this term with a realistic plan to deliver on our housing needs in a sustainable way. Year by year the Suburban Land Agency has delivered new land to meet demand. Over the last four years the SLA delivered within one per cent of its dwelling targets. Since 2018 the Suburban Land Agency has released 14,503 dwellings. The indicative land release program target for the next five years is 16,434 dwellings, and the SLA is working hard despite the challenges that we face during this pandemic to make sure that it continues to meet this target.
Stand-alone houses, units and townhouses are all part of a range of options that are being delivered. All of these types of homes have a place in Canberra’s future. Building a sustainable city and supplying a mix of housing options requires detailed planning and policy work. Green space, environmental sustainability and affordability and choice are all important factors in this work.
The government is working hard to build a city where communities are strong and where there is a place for everyone. We will keep finding ways to deliver land and promote development that is sustainable and that gives Canberrans the housing choices that we promised.
MS ORR: Minister, how is the SLA delivering affordable houses as part of its work?
MS BERRY: Affordable and public housing are critical to building a city that reflects our strong social justice and equitable values. Canberrans believe in fairness and
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