Page 4261 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 29 November 1994
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Another concern I have is that, although the director of the neighbouring Canberra South Motor Park was consulted about this proposed draft variation to the Territory Plan, long-term residents of the motor park have not been consulted. I think it might be news to some of the residents who live at the Canberra South Motor Park that they could have a technology park established near to them in the very near future. I also want to pick up the comments made by the Royal Australian Planning Institute concerning the strategic context and suitability of section 4, Symonston, for an advanced technology manufacturing estate. They raised questions about the possibility of more appropriate locations than the site that has been selected by the ACT Planning Authority.
For the reasons stated above, I am unable to support the proposed draft variation at this time. I believe that a better informed decision about the future of the site could be made in 1995, when an effective assessment of all the abovementioned parameters and variables has been undertaken. I understand that the Minister is intending to proceed with the tabling of the draft variation this evening. I therefore believe that he has rejected my comments in relation to this draft variation. However, I will propose a motion of disallowance during these Assembly sittings, which will enable members of the Assembly to fully consider and debate the issues.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (9.39): I want to make a very brief comment in relation to the feasibility of the advanced technology manufacturing park, as there was some comment about this in the course of question time today, particularly about the Coopers and Lybrand survey and report on the potential for the park to attract businesses from other than the ACT. I have reviewed this report and I should say, in the first instance, that I do not regard the entire report as being commercial-in-confidence. I am willing to make it available to people who want a copy, with one small proviso: There is a little information in it that is commercial in its nature. That relates to the expansion plans of particular businesses and their plans to relocate, and I do not believe that it is appropriate that that kind of confidential information be in the public domain. However, that is only a small portion of the report.
The report does show that interstate companies have expressed a quite strong interest in relocating and establishing in such a park. In the commencement of the summary of findings, the report says:
Our best estimate of the number of advanced technology organisations (and their key suppliers) in Australia that may be targets for relocation to Canberra is 500, presently located principally in Sydney and Melbourne.
Approximately half of these companies would have no interest at all in relocating to Canberra. About 10 per cent would have a genuine interest. This is an interesting observation given that Canberra does not represent 10 per cent of the manufacturing strength of Australia. Those with the most interest are companies for which Canberra represents a significant market ie some information technology and defence oriented businesses.
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