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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1584 ..

Mr Humphries (continuing):

(m) No. There are severe constraints on egress of tourist vehicles from Block 4 because of the location of the cafe. Electrical supply and underground carparking are also constrained. In order that initial work can commence for this important tourist facility, the developer has sought an interim agreement for access from Mr Stefos.

(n) The term of Mr Stefos' lease reflected the original short term lease offered to the TAU Theatre. The rental payments of Mr Stefos' lease reflect the costs of making good the structure at the outset of the lease and its removal at its termination. Should a long term lease of the site be considered by the Government, there is no reason why it would not be offered through an open auction process. Should an extended lease be considered by the Government there is no reason why it would not be offered on normal commercial terms.

As explained above the issue is not simply carparking. Nevertheless, since the TAU Theatre's destruction the Government has attempted to assist Mr Stefos and the current actions are a continuation of that assistance.

My advice is that the removal of the Cafe is an essential precondition of the redevelopment of the GIO Building and access thereto.

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