Page 1027 - Week 04 - Thursday, 1 April 1993
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Mr Humphries: That is shocking.
MR WOOD: This Bill redresses that deficiency in the present development control legislation. No doubt you will be applauding this Bill.
Mr Humphries: Yes, excellent.
MR WOOD: Thank you for your commendation. The Bill also establishes the implementation plan system for approving proposed public works "development". The Bill provides that a person who proposes to develop public works in the Territory may prepare a plan called an implementation plan and submit it to the Planning Authority, which will make the plan available for public inspection and consultation for a minimum period of 21 days. After the public consultation period is completed, the authority may revise the plan before submitting it to the Minister, together with a report on any written comments received as a result of public consultation. If the Minister approves the plan, any applications for design and siting approval of proposed public works relating to the plan are exempt from further public notification and third party appeal.
The implementation plan system has two benefits to the community. First, it allows public works proposals to be publicly aired at a very early stage; that is, as soon as there is sufficient information available for members of the community to have a reasonable chance of understanding what the development is about. By going to public consultation before major design and development costs begin to be incurred, there is a greater likelihood that any compromise necessary between the community and the agency sponsoring the public works will be harmoniously achieved. The second benefit to the community is that there is greater certainty that development works related to the implementation plan will be delivered as planned. This is because they will not be subject to third party objection and appeal when the plans reach development approval stage.
I consider that the implementation plan system is a benefit to the community because generally the types of projects that will be the subject of implementation plans are going to be essential to community well-being. They will include facilities such as roads, power and water lines, parks and other recreation and landscape features, and residential subdivisions. The right of the individual member of the community to be heard is preserved because he or she would already have had the opportunity to raise any relevant issues in the public consultation process or by direct approach to the Minister prior to approval of the implementation plan. Importantly, the wider public interest will also be served because of the greater certainty that important public works can be delivered on time. These are the matters of substance dealt with by the amendment Bill. I present the explanatory memorandum for the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Kaine) adjourned.
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