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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 11 Hansard (20 October) . . Page.. 3367 ..

Minister, the land you referred to last Thursday was the land identified as being 9.2 hectares of environmentally significant land on the golf club's lease. Minister, what action are you now taking to ensure that this land is incorporated in the Canberra Nature Park as recommended by the Standing Committee on Urban Services' report into this issue and offered by the club last Thursday, or what action are you taking to ensure that the land is appropriately protected?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, yet again we get half the story. What about the rest of the quote? I made it quite clear that the generous offer of the club was tied to the application to vary the Territory Plan being successful. The club is quite within their rights to keep that land within their lease and they will be asked to manage it accordingly.

MR CORBELL: I have a supplementary question. Minister, if it was all right for the Government to agree to have the land returned to Canberra Nature Park last Thursday during the debate on the golf club disallowance, why have you not pursued the matter further, or was this offer simply an attempt to ensure the passage of the Territory Plan variation?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, it was an offer from the club. It was in a letter from the club that I received that morning. They said that to allay the fear of residents they would return that land to secure the variation. Mr Speaker, given the failure of the draft variation, obviously the club will have to reassess all their needs. I look forward to seeing what the club comes up with.

MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, my question is to Mr Moore and concerns all his departmental activity. It refers to the ongoing difficulties experienced by community agencies in meeting the demands of the SACS award. Are you satisfied that these agencies have been given appropriate supplementation over quite a period and into the future to allow them to cover the increased salary bill and maintain their high level of service? What have you provided in broad terms?

MR MOORE: The Department of Health, in negotiating with community groups, has looked at the way they are delivering services. Where supplementation has been needed in terms of the SACS award, that has been provided; but it has not been done in the sense of saying, "Here is the SACS award money". It has been done in the sense of saying, "What are the needs? What are the general costs associated with delivering the services? What efficiencies can be made that will help you with the SACS award and what contribution is required from government to assist?".

In general, Mr Speaker, that has been very well received by the community sector. Quite a number of groups within the community sector have spoken to me about the very positive negotiations they have had with the department, and I must say I am very

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