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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1145 ..

MS McRAE: Mr Speaker, my question is for the Minister for Land and Planning. Mr Humphries, can you inform the house as to the progress - - -

Mr Humphries: Speak up, Ms McRae.

MS McRAE: Poor Mr Humphries has gone deaf these days. I must stop shouting at you. It has affected your hearing. Mr Humphries, can you inform the house as to the progress you have made in regard to the change of leases at Rugby League Park in Braddon and what compensation is being paid?

MR HUMPHRIES: I happened to bring down my file for non-budget matters, Mr Speaker. It is lucky that I did. The matter of ownership of the lease at Northbourne Oval has been in dispute for a number of years. Members will know that the matter was listed for hearing in the Supreme Court last December. Prior to the hearing, I met with the ACT Rugby League and the ACT Leagues Club and reached a resolution of a dispute by facilitating some agreement between the parties. I am indebted to a number of members, including Mr Osborne and Mr Hird, for their assistance in doing that. That agreement cleared the way for a resolution of the question of ownership of the lease and provided for the reasonable requirements of the club and the aspirations of the Canberra and District Rugby League to establish a training headquarters for the Raiders. As part of the agreement, two separate lots will be created, one for the Leagues Club and one for the oval. To give effect to this, a variation to the Territory Plan will be required, and that variation will reflect a situation that has existed on the block for the last 15 years.

The two parties agreed, following that agreement, to stand down the matter that was before the Supreme Court and to sign a deed of agreement, although that has not actually happened as yet, as I understand it. A draft variation is being prepared at the moment. Draft leases, deed of agreement and plan of management have been circulated to the parties. The club has agreed to all matters, and the CDRL is currently negotiating issues with respect to their lease. The proposals have been discussed with the Braddon Residents Association and, I understand, have been generally supported. In fact, I think I have agreed to meet with the Braddon Residents Association at some time in the near future to discuss with them any concerns that they have. I do not know what amount of betterment either has been paid or is envisaged to be paid, but I will take that part of the question on notice.

MS McRAE: As a supplementary question, I ask: Who will be selected for compensation, if any is paid either through absolution of betterment or through compensation? That is specifically what I need to know, Minister.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I do not think it was envisaged by the arrangements in place that anyone was going to be compensated.

Ms McRae: I think some people think that. I think you had better check.

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