Page 2038 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 5 June 1990
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The Government has also considered a suggestion that it review the claim by Concrete Constructions that no alternative uses of the site would be financially viable. The Government considers that that matter was put to the standing committee and taken into account in its findings.
There have been recent media reports that have been associated with the redevelopment of the Canberra Times site, the Mobil service station and the Griffin Centre. The Government has given in principle support for the construction of a community centre in the vicinity of the existing Griffin Centre which will incorporate activities undertaken by the occupants of the Griffin Centre in a practical way. A conceptual drawing of how this might be achieved has been prepared and is available for public examination.
I have directed the Interim Territory Planning Authority and the Office of Industry and Development to jointly prepare a development plan for this precinct, in consultation with the Housing and Community Services Bureau, following on from the Canberra Times site redevelopment that I have just announced. That development plan will be made available for public consultation at an appropriate stage. Pending development of the new community centre, the security of tenure for current occupants of the Griffin Centre will be guaranteed through the grant of a further occupation licence.
Mr Deputy Speaker, in making its decision about the Canberra Times site, the Government asserts that this decision should not been seen as a precedent by other developers wishing to change existing lease purpose clauses. As I have previously mentioned, the forthcoming legislative changes will provide a basis for lease purpose clause changes that balance the need for progressive and well thought out redevelopments and the need to preserve our environmental amenity. It is the view of the Alliance Government that such balance will encourage our local economy but retain that amenity that makes the ACT such a pleasant and healthy place in which to live and work.
MR CONNOLLY (5.00): The Opposition wishes to respond briefly to this statement by the Chief Minister. At last, after seven months, we have a decision on the Canberra Times site, but still unfortunately no Bill has appeared to regularise planning appeals in Canberra. That in itself is a failure, but of even more concern is the fact that, despite assurances, the Griffin Centre site appears to be earmarked for development.
The lack of adequate appeals legislation was one of the issues cited most prominently by Mr Collaery in his speech on 5 December last year on a motion of no confidence in the Follett Government. He castigated the Follett Government for, in its six months in power, producing two Bills for public exposure on planning and land management but not producing a Bill on planning appeals.
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