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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 2 Hansard (27 February) . . Page.. 525 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

Information in relation to the development applications will be available to a much greater extent than in the past. A person need only request access to the development application file, which will contain all the basic information about a proposal. It would be ideal to present that information electronically, on request. However, while the technology is developing and while the Government is mindful of the costs involved, I am convinced that current arrangements, where a human face or voice is there to explain and interpret plans and other information to the public, are effective and, I think, appreciated.

In respect of recommendations 89 and 91, the right to lodge a third-party appeal has been a complex and controversial aspect of the administration of the Act. We addressed this complexity in December's debate over the amendments and I believe we achieved a fair position. Third-party appeals will be available to residents associations and those who can show that they are substantially and adversely affected by the decision. The decision to accept a third party's standing to appeal will rest, quite rightly I think, with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Next, I want to refer to recommendation 96. Since 31 January this year land and planning appeals have been received and heard by the AAT. Perhaps it is too early to make a full assessment of the tribunal's role; but, on the basis of experience to date, I believe the community is seeing the value of a more structured process. Most importantly, the AAT will establish, over time, a series of precedents on land and planning matters and provide rulings on areas of concern.

Mr Speaker, the Government has made extensive progress in reform of land and planning, and I thank the members of the Planning and Environment Committee for their work on this report and their obvious commitment to that task. I know that all members agree with the ultimate outcome in that respect, but I believe that the progress that has been made to date is important and significant. I believe it has significantly improved the quality of outcome we deliver to people who use our system. A lot of work remains to be done. If this Assembly allows the agreed changes to take their course, I think that we will see some of the atmosphere of confrontation and suspicion, which has been characteristic of our planning system, dissipated, if not entirely destroyed.

MR SPEAKER: Order! It being 45 minutes after the commencement of Assembly business, the debate is interrupted in accordance with standing order 77. The resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Motion (by Mr Berry) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent order of the day No. 29, private Members business, relating to the Holidays (Amendment) Bill 1997, being called on forthwith.

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