Page 5001 - Week 17 - Tuesday, 11 December 1990
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In fact, the first two Bills that were produced, as I said, in an exposure form on 22 February, made a major start in that area. In fact, once we realised the complexity of the requirements of putting a large number of leasing Bills together and integrating them into the Heritage Bill and the Planning Bill, it took a little longer than was expected. At least, by the end of June there was, in fact, full legislation for the community to consider. Plus, of course, in a couple of situations, there were regulations in relation to an environmental assessments process, which I think was a very important aspect.
The Alliance Government recognises that Canberra is one of the best planned cities in the world. We intend to retain and enhance the outstanding characteristics of our unique city as the nation's capital. We hold the planning of this city in trust for the rest of the nation. We will continue to maintain that trust.
The Canberra community is entitled to a planning system which is open, accessible and responsive to its needs, as well as being responsive to economic and social development needs. Since December last year, the Government has devoted considerable energy, as I have already indicated, to the development of comprehensive planning and land use legislation for the ACT.
Mr Berry: Is this the Lyons school speech?
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR JENSEN: Mr Berry seems to think it is amusing, Mr Speaker. It is not the same speech.
Since the end of the first period of public consultation on the five draft Bills which make up the package, the Government has considered the wide ranging and constructive comments received, and has revised the Bills in preparation for a second consultation period. In excess of 60 comments were received. Many of them were very detailed and required considerable consideration. This is such an important process that, I think, all those opposite would agree that it should be properly and fully followed up.
The Bill before the Assembly today is an important part of the work we are doing to ensure that the Territory's planning arrangements continue to be open, responsive and accessible. The main provisions of this Bill allow the ACT Planning Authority to be established and empower this authority to introduce and vary the Territory Plan. Only a planning authority established under an ACT enactment can release the Territory Plan.
Under the Federal legislation, which guides this area, the Interim Territory Planning Authority, of course, does not have the power to do this. It is not ACT legislation. It is Federal legislation over which we have no control. The
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