Page 2037 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 5 June 1990
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All four assessments are consistent one with another, and if the development is permitted to go ahead it will do so against a background of reduced air pollution, no indication of any increase in traffic noise levels, and significant improvement in traffic and parking provision. Further, the proposed development would have only a minimal effect on the factors that I have mentioned.
I mention particularly the assessment conducted by the Interim Territory Planning Authority which, in summary, has found as follows: the development of the site will be well within the environmental and transport capacity of Civic; in the vicinity of the site, the absolute values of all pollutants are well within the guidelines set down in the Civic Centre Policy Plan; analysis of the effects of the proposed Canberra Times development indicates that the increases in pollutant concentrations are very small at locations where peak concentrations occur; and redevelopment will have only a minor impact on traffic and parking in and around Civic, and the approximately 160 additional public transport users can be accommodated on existing public transport.
In respect of the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974 conducted by the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories, I have been advised that that department has assessed information provided by the proponent, Concrete Constructions Pty Limited, and the Interim Territory Planning Authority in the context of the two court decisions relevant to the proposal; that is, the Supreme Court decision of 21 July 1989 and the Federal Court decision of 13 March 1990. I have also been advised that the Minister for the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories has advised that no significant advantages would be gained by further formal assessment under the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974. Accordingly, the preparation of an environmental impact statement or public environment report will not be required to satisfy the object of that Act.
In the light of this unanimity of views, the Government has decided to accept the surrender of the former Canberra Times site leases and the regrant of a lease that will permit the redevelopment of the site. The redevelopment may have a maximum gross floor area of 16,000 square metres, of which no more than 14,000 square metres shall be offices. That decision is subject to the payment of betterment and the meeting of development conditions to be formulated by the ITPA.
I make clear that the Territory Government will not permit the proposed office space to be used for Territory Government purposes and I expect the Opposition to give a similar undertaking. I also expect the Commonwealth will comply with the certified National Capital Plan and not permit its departments or agencies to occupy the proposed building.
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