Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (5 November) . . Page.. 3636 ..

MR OSBORNE: I will say it very slowly, Minister: Are you sure?

MR STEFANIAK: In terms of the written one, yes, Mr Osborne, I am sure. In terms of the other dates, it was a very short verbal communication, and I could not be absolutely certain in relation to that. But the written one was definitely on 9 October.

MR WOOD: My question is to the Minister for Planning. I refer him to an idea that has been floated to develop a five-star resort on what is defined as urban open space - that is, parkland - on the northern shores of Lake Tuggeranong. My questions are: Firstly, are you aware of this idea; secondly, as Minister for Planning and the Environment, will you assure Canberrans that you will protect such valued parkland; and, thirdly, will you also counsel the proponent, if he develops his idea, to base it on the use of rather similar lakefront land at the southern end of the lake but within the commercial area of the town centre, where he could build it?

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I thank Mr Wood for that question. I am aware of the proposal that he refers to. I think it is the same proposal. I have had one meeting with the proponent, where he has put the idea before me. My advice to him on that occasion was that he should immediately begin an informal process of consultation with the community of Tuggeranong to assess where his proposal might go. I have been in this job long enough to realise that the formal processes outlined in the Land Act, unfortunately, are not sufficient to address all the concerns that might be raised and that it is unwise to follow the letter of the law in those circumstances. So, my advice to him was to go and talk to members of the Tuggeranong community.

I have not had a further meeting with him or a report back about his progress with that; but I understand from other sources that he has met with the Tuggeranong Community Council and briefed them on the nature of his proposal. I understand that that proposal was well received by the Tuggeranong Community Council.

Mrs Littlewood: Well received.

MR HUMPHRIES: One of the members for Brindabella behind me indicates that that was the case. So, I think the gentleman concerned is advancing his case in appropriate types of forums.

I am asked whether I will protect the area marked for urban open space on the northern shores of Lake Tuggeranong. I will certainly protect that area while it remains appropriately protected under the Land Act and under the Territory Plan. However, as with any matter affecting the Territory Plan, it is capable of being proposed for variation. If a compelling case seems to be made out for considering a variation to the plan to allow a development of that kind to occur, then I am perfectly prepared to entertain that idea.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .