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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 14 Hansard (12 December) . . Page.. 4833 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

In the light of this advice and bearing in mind the need to steer between the inflexibility of a highly planned and rigid approach to retail and the recognition that development approvals are one of the mechanisms available to the Government for it to achieve the goals of its retail strategy, I recommended that a staged approach to this project be adopted, with approximately 13,000 square metres able to be built now, with a second stage to be approved once the population of the primary trade area reaches 97,500 people. That, Mr Speaker, is a reduction of about 3,800 square metres of what the Hyperdome originally sought for immediate commencement.

At this stage, as the Government's strategic plan Canberra: A Capital Future shows, there is considerable variation in population projections. It is for this reason that I propose that we rely on a population figure rather than on a particular date. I am also convinced that a recommendation that envisages the full extent of the - - -

Mr Moore: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I believe that Mr Humphries has reflected on a vote of the Assembly. The Assembly very clearly considered the Canberra: A Capital Future to be not a strategic plan, and sent it back to the Government, saying that that is exactly what it was. Mr Humphries's comment is quite clearly a reflection on the vote of the Assembly. You can call it by its title; nothing else.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I do not propose to enter into that debate at this hour of the day, so I will say at this stage that, as the Government's proposed strategic plan Canberra: A Capital Future shows, there is considerable variation in population figures - - -

Mr Moore: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I think, if Mr Humphries wants to make it clear, what he should do is simply use the term Canberra: A Capital Future. Nobody can argue with that. It is not a strategic plan, it is not a proposed strategic plan, and that has been decided by the Assembly. He is reflecting on the vote of the Assembly.

MR HUMPHRIES: I think this is pedantry personified, Mr Speaker; but I will withdraw the words "strategic plan", if it satisfies Mr Moore. (Quorum formed)

Mr Speaker, I am convinced that a recommendation that envisages the full extent of the ultimate approval is helpful both for the proponent and for other market players, who can factor the future extent of the proposal into their investment decisions. I think it is fair to say that the proponent, Leda, would have preferred an unstaged approval. Since PALM staff advised them of my evaluation, which I concluded late last month, they have discussed a number of proposals with PALM staff and have now made a formal alternative proposal in writing. I should indicate that, if Leda came up with a proposal which achieved the same reduction in adverse impacts on local and group centres as my recommendations do, the Government would be happy to consider them.

The situation in the proposed redevelopment and refurbishment of the Woden Plaza is even more complex. The existing plaza is over 25 years old. The supermarkets are small by the standards now sought by national supermarket chains, and their location is poor. The main elements of the Woden Plaza proposal are relocation and expansion of the two existing supermarkets to a total of 7,700 square metres, a discount department store of

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