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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 10 Hansard (25 September) . . Page.. 3484 ..

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Consultation obligations and procedures were enhanced and clarified in the amendments to the Land Act. We have expanded the Local Area Planning Committees (LAPACS) and established a new Urban Development Forum.

Today, as a result of this Government's policies, PALM has minimum statutory requirements for consultation that exceed those of New South Wales and Victoria, which are generally held to be the models.

But PALM does not merely meet its statutory obligations. It is working progressively to enhance its links with the community on a number of fronts.

Highly successful communication initiatives to reach every Canberra citizen have been introduced in a wide area. These include use of the Internet (PALM is working in a joint venture with the CSIRO), Austouch, articles in community newsletters and stands at community fairs, a telephone/fax information "hotline", consultation over major issues such as retail services for Gungahlin, signposting of vacant land set aside for community or commercial purposes, and PALM's strong participation in the Chief Minister's Community Consultation Protocol. Indeed, PALM has exceeded the standards set by that Protocol. Sometimes the problem is decidign which avenue of consultation a citizen might use among the welter of options available.

Another area of innovation is the urban guidelines in the ACT Code for Residential Development (ACTCode). These are being revised to incorporate recent initiatives such as the B11 and B12 Guidelines. The ACT already leads Australia in requiring energy ratings in new homes. ACT Code will assist also in crime prevention and community safety, and draw on experience in the Gungahlin Town Centre urban design and housing code.

Over the second twelve months PALM will continue its improvement processes. Some key improvement steps mentioned in the report are:

. Discussions will be advanced with the Commonwealth Government to rationalise and refine relationships with the National Capital Authority, especially with regard to areas around Lake Burley Griffin.

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