Page 2304 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 17 August 1993
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So we were able to satisfy ourselves, and, I hope, satisfy the people who expressed the concern, that there is no danger of people who will live in this estate being affected in any way.
Some people expressed concern at the external effects of this development - traffic flows in the immediate vicinity of the Belconnen golf course. Anybody who reads our report will note that we have made recommendations that the developer be responsible for correcting any adverse effects of that traffic flow by putting in roundabouts at certain places and by generally satisfying us and the Government that they are taking a responsible approach to this development and are aware of and take account of the community concerns on this matter.
I believe that this proposal is a good one. I satisfied myself that the interests of the Belconnen Golf Club were being preserved, that the interests of the members of the golf club were being preserved, that the interests of the community at large were being preserved. That last point includes, for example, the fact that betterment will be paid in respect of this development. There is an argument going on about whether 50 per cent betterment is enough or whether 100 per cent is enough, but betterment will be paid in accordance with the present formula which is embedded in the law. I am satisfied that the return in this case will be adequate, bearing in mind that no government money will be spent on this. Unlike all the other developments - unlike West Belconnen, North Watson, North Duffy-Holder and the like, which I understand will be generally government sponsored developments - this one is a privately sponsored project. We made sure that the community was not going to have to pick up even the incidental consequences of taking care of the traffic flows and the like.
I satisfied myself, and I think that the community ought to be assured, that this project has been given a thorough investigation by the committee. The recommendations, in my view, will stand any scrutiny by people who may still be dissatisfied with what we are recommending to the Government. Of course, in the final analysis, after this recommendation is dealt with by this Assembly it will go back to the Executive, and the Executive will have to make up its mind whether to go ahead and, if so, whether to adopt the recommendations that the committee is making.
Mr Wood: It has already done so.
MR KAINE: You might be anticipating a little bit, Minister. Other community groups have concerns of one kind or another - many of them similar to the ones that were put to us about the Belconnen Golf Club development; some of them unique - and I have no doubt that they will be dealt with in their time. This committee will certainly make sure, if all else fails, that such groups have an opportunity to present their case. I hope that this case reassures them that the system does allow a number of places in the process where their views can be put. They can put them to the Planning Authority; they can put them to this committee; and they can put them to the Government at different stages of the process if they are not happy with the outcome up to those points.
Of course, at the end of the day the decision is made by the Government and there may well still be people who are not satisfied with the outcome. Their only recourse at that point is to get into a dialogue with the Government, if they can find a Minister to talk to - and that seems to be one of their complaints.
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