Page 4648 - Week 15 - Thursday, 21 November 1991
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On the whole, I think this is sound legislation. Perhaps we need to look at when it should start. I think the Minister was quite sensible in extending to 20 March the time for further consultation and feedback. That is fair enough. Administrative arrangements have to be put in place, and I wonder whether that can be done by 1 January. Something like 1 March might be a more appropriate date, but it is important that this legislation be up and running as soon as possible.
When looking at Canberra's future development, things such as green space in the city area are very important. They have to be considered, as does sensible and environmentally and commercially sound development. For example, I was driving around Kingston the other day; having grown up in Canberra, I am well aware of how Kingston looked in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Certain houses have been kept around Telopea Park; there has been some development there, although the buildings have had to conform to the streetscape and the types of houses that were there before. I note that my friend Mr Collaery was very concerned back in May 1989 about the redevelopment of four houses there and was lying down in front of bulldozers. Having driven past that area, I think the redeveloped houses blend in quite well with the original homes, which are still the vast majority of the homes in Telopea Park. So, perhaps Mr Collaery's fears have been alleviated.
It is also pleasing to note that those original homes are there, yet on the other side of Telopea Park there are townhouses and then the shopping centre and some more original homes. That development has certainly not taken away from the area; in fact, it has probably tidied it up to an extent. There is now a blend of new and old original Canberra-type homes within the one area, plus a fully developed park leading down to the lake, and it looks very attractive.
That is a very good example of how certain areas can change and good, sensible development occur, while retaining some of the essential old-world charm. That is very important when we look at developing various areas of Canberra, especially inner Canberra, because there is a great need for some urban infill. There is also a need to do it sensibly and I think, on balance, this planning legislation will - as best it can at this stage - ensure that that happens.
This is, of course, a living piece of legislation. It will continue to be amended; of necessity, I think it has to be. Obviously, a few things will go wrong and it will have to be finetuned. With something as complex and, indeed, as emotive as this, that is understandable. I was interested to note that, with a very complex piece of legislation, there are not too many objections by members, and that is heartening. I look forward to seeing, in the years to come, the further development and refinement of this very crucial legislation.
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