NATURE CONSERVATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1995

Debate resumed from 24 August 1995, on motion by Mr Humphries:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

MR BERRY (10.54): Mr Speaker, I move:

That the debate be adjourned.

Mr Speaker, I seek leave to explain.

Leave granted.

MR BERRY: The Opposition is going to oppose some elements of this Bill. The problem is that parts of one of the proposed amendments we will agree to requires preparation of a proposal to deal with penalty units. I am not able to have it prepared in time to deal with it at this point, but I will have it later this day.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

PLANNING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Ministerial Statement

Debate resumed from 22 June 1995, on motion by Mr Humphries:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

MS HORODNY (10.55): The ministerial statement touched on a range of issues which the ACT Greens consider to be of fundamental importance to the community. The survival of local and neighbourhood shops goes to the heart of our belief that small business needs support through good planning processes. We are very concerned that the Government has not committed itself fully to supporting the smaller shopping centres. There is still no commitment that the Tuggeranong Hyperdome extension will not go ahead. Moreover, it appears that a large national chain will be allowed to set up a supermarket of in excess of 3,500 square metres in Conder. Why not provide incentives and opportunities for small local business? The viability of small businesses has been under increasing pressure with the growth of the large shopping malls. They provide an opportunity for greater diversity of retailers, higher employment rates and a focus for essential community services. This is an issue which requires careful thought and action, proper planning, a commitment to challenging the shopping mall culture and much public debate.

The work that has been done to develop a regional strategic plan is encouraging. I recently had the opportunity to attend an interesting and informative public meeting where the draft ACT and subregion plan was presented for debate. The Greens believe that our society has tended to look at issues in isolation rather than on a broader level.

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