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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 8 Hansard (27 June) . . Page.. 2303 ..

MR STEFANIAK: Ms McRae, let us not forget the role that you and Mr Berry played in relation to that school when you went along and tried to hijack a public meeting. The Government is currently exploring a variety of options for the future use of the site. They range from redevelopment for aged persons housing, a private educational institution, to a sporting and licensed club. As, no doubt, Ms McRae knows, Housing has engaged consultants to address options for the economic reuse of the former site, including what role it could play in revitalising the suburb as a whole. That is important. I think Ms McRae would like to lose sight of the fact that the high school site is only part of the equation. What we are proposing is a whole-of-suburb redevelopment, which is terribly important and which, I think, actually, the citizens of Charnwood are very keen to see happen. As Ms McRae might be aware, the first stage of the study has been completed, and the Government is considering the consultants' report on initial options. The consultants are now proceeding with the second stage, of developing detailed recommendations for the suburb, including what to do with the public housing stock, what to do with open spaces and walkways in the suburb and what to do with particular community facilities and, in particular, the high school site.

Ms Follett: Mr Speaker, on a point of order: The answer that the Minister is again reading out is completely irrelevant to the question that was asked. The question asked was: What was the consultation process? It was not: What are the consultants telling the Government? I think he has it back to front, and I would urge him to depart from the script and address the question that was actually asked.

MR SPEAKER: I do not uphold the point of order, because I think Mr Stefaniak is coming to answer that. There is a preamble at the moment. Please continue.

MR STEFANIAK: Indeed there is, and it is something that members opposite should realise, because we hear quite a few preambles in their questions. The proposal will affect all residents of Charnwood, and all project possibilities are being identified to form the basis of a comprehensive consultation process. Some consultation is occurring at present. The second stage, which is the consultation stage, will be finalised by October or November of this year. That involves extensive consultation with the community. So, Ms McRae, it might be late June now; but there is a lot of work yet to be done, which will be done.

MS McRAE: As a supplementary question, Mr Stefaniak, can you then confirm that it is well and truly your agenda to sell at least part of the high school site in order to fund the education budget?

MR STEFANIAK: I do not think Ms McRae quite appreciates what a consultation process is all about and what this stage is all about. What is happening now is a consultation phase. What will continue to happen is a consultation phase to work out what are the best possible options for this Government in relation to the site and in relation to the rejuvenation of the suburb as a whole. We do appreciate the situation, despite what you might like to think, Ms McRae. We are engaging in a consultation. We are engaging in ascertaining what are the best possible options so that we can make a decision as a result of that. It is pretty important, Mr Speaker, to take into account what people themselves might actually like.

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