Page 3304 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 12 October 1993
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Mr Moore made some comments about Griffith and the way, he claimed, that things were done there. I have noted at various times some houses falling into disrepair. I am not in a position to say whether that was a deliberate tactic or not. No-one has ever given me any evidence, or any suggestion even, until his comment today, that it was. The areas now of concern - suddenly, abruptly of concern - to that letter writer, and others, have all the protection of the Territory Plan and of the residential policies in that Territory Plan. In addition to that, because we recognise the importance of those areas, we are establishing guidelines that will further provide the necessary protection for that area.
In addition to that, because it is the nature of the Government, we have asked the community, including those people, to give us their comments on those guidelines. Officially that period of comment has passed, but I do not mind if they keep sending in comments; we will take them. So, yes, I will extend that period. That seems to apply universally when we put out documents. The guidelines have the purpose of protecting that area of streetscapes, of urban design, the whole range of things that people think are important, and they are in addition to what are already, I think, very strong requirements in the Territory Plan and in addition to the appeal mechanisms that I will be saying something about shortly. I think the interests of the residents will be well protected.
Territory Plan - Carport Approvals
MR KAINE: Madam Speaker, I would like to direct a question also to Mr Wood, on another aspect of the Territory Plan. Obviously, as we get closer to the implementation date of the plan, people are looking at it more closely and they are discovering some unintended consequences.
Mr Wood: Oh!
MR KAINE: I think this is a serious matter, Minister, and I think you might believe it to be so when you hear what I want to ask you. At Appendix 3 of the plan it talks about where carports can be located on blocks. It says that, on an already developed block, unless the carport is to be 15 metres from the front boundary, you now have to get approval from the Planning Authority to build. You did not have to before, but from next Friday you do. The people who build carports and garages in Canberra have suddenly realised that, as of Friday, they have to have approval, and they have discovered from the Planning Authority that it is going to take 12 to 13 weeks to get the necessary approval. That means that there is going to be a hiatus in the activities of all of these small businesses. One business alone employs 20 people who, for a period of 12 weeks, may simply be unemployed. Obviously this small businessman cannot afford to pay wages for 12 weeks when he cannot get on with work. There are a number of people who are doing this. Potentially, there are 40 or 50 people whose employment over the next three months is somewhat in jeopardy because of this new requirement. Minister, are you aware of this? Is there anything that you can do to ameliorate the impact of this new law over this 12-week period which, unless you do something, is going to cause great concern to a good number of people in the community? Is there anything you can do, or will you look at it to see whether there is something that you can do?
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