Page 303 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 31 May 1989
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would have to take out another two-year licence. My department is looking at this proposal, for the simple reason that we feel that it will cut down on road accidents. We are also looking at ways of giving 15-year-olds a better chance of understanding how to drive a car, the rules of the road, and the effects of drugs and alcohol on the system. Yes, I can say that my department is looking at this matter.
YARRALUMLA BRICKWORKS
MR JENSEN: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Industry, Employment and Education. In view of the extreme surprise expressed by the Chief Minister on election day regarding the decision of the Federal Labor Minister for the Capital Territory to proceed with the redevelopment of the old Canberra brickworks, and the attendant risk to the heritage assets in that area, will the Minister advise precisely what stage negotiations have reached and when the details of these arrangements will be open to public scrutiny?
MR WHALAN: The proposal for the development of the Yarralumla brickworks site followed a tender process involving a stringent and independent review of the contenders. Negotiations with the preferred tenderer resulted in agreement on a number of issues and reached the stage where considerable expenditure in specifying the full development was required of Hookers for the proposal to be advanced. The company was entitled to have a further commitment to that given in December so that the development, which will return $7m to the new Government in premium and up to $120m to the ACT economy, could proceed.
The offer accepted by Hooker Projects on 17 March is subject to compliance with heritage and environmental legislation and the degazettal of a formerly proposed tourist road. The offer also required Hookers to pay a deposit of $700,000. Policy changes to the Yarralumla policy plan and the Yarralumla brickworks policy plan are required. It is expected that the Territory planning authority will release the draft policy plans within the next month. This process will involve full community consultation.
There are currently 20-odd tenants occupying space at the brickworks. The tenants are aware of the redevelopment proposal. While notice to quit of only one month is required, Hooker Projects has agreed that the tenants may remain on the site until such time as work on the project commences, and this is unlikely to be until at least September or October of this year. It is envisaged that the proposed development will allow for uses similar to those now at the brickworks.
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