Page 4696 - Week 15 - Thursday, 21 November 1991
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Just over two weeks ago I attended a meeting where 100 South Arawang residents formed a residents group to ensure that the proposed investigation area near Mount Arawang will be retained. Last Sunday those residents invited the planners to meet with them. Officers from the Planning Authority attended a meeting comprising some 100 residents and, I am told, a meeting which also saw some 70-plus apologies recorded. Unfortunately, planning officers indicated that they would be reluctant to meet with residents if the meeting involved or gave any indication that it involved ACT politicians. Mr Wood, I urge that this issue be addressed immediately - - -
Mr Jensen: I was there.
MRS NOLAN: I know, but I am just saying that that view was put across by the planning officers. I believe that that is totally inappropriate and that that should not have been indicated to residents. I am calling on the Minister to immediately address that issue and ensure that public meetings can be attended by any member of this chamber without residents receiving any such threats.
Each of those residents made a major purchase on the basis that property backed onto open space. It is a bit like commencing a game of rugby in which the goalposts are moved halfway through the game. I support growth and development but not at the cost of the community's open space or at the expense of our city's heritage. More consideration must be given to the community's views. As long as all the issues, including transport, are considered and the majority of the community is supportive, then the green light can be given.
I believe that the investigation areas must be reviewed before the final plan is issued. Judging by the level of debate since the draft plan was released, considerable work and attention still needs to be given by the planners and by Government. Mr Speaker, I will contain my remarks until the detail stage debate of this legislation before us today, but in closing I seek the Minister's assurance that those areas designated as investigation areas on the plan will be reviewed and, as I mentioned earlier, that resident groups will be able to have a public meeting and invite any members of the Assembly without receiving the sorts of threats that are around in Canberra at the moment.
MR WOOD (Minister for Education and the Arts and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning) (4.41), in reply: Mr Speaker, I thank members for the contributions they have made to this debate. Most members have spoken. That is a reflection, as Mrs Nolan and others have said, of the importance of the legislation. All members have expressed a variety of views reflecting where they come from in the community and their political philosophies. Mr Kaine, who was first to respond after I spoke, agreed that this was landmark legislation. He claimed, of course - and I do not dispute this - some credit, since the Bill was prepared, in considerable part, when he was Chief Minister and Minister
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