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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (30 March) . . Page.. 1200 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

lease which was registered last November provides for continued operation of the park for five years from the date of transfer to any new owner. In addition, the sale documents will require the buyer to enter into a contractual arrangement to ensure that the park continues to operate as a going concern for the same period. This contract will be backed by a bank guarantee of $200,000. As well, those residents whose accounts are not in arrears will be able to take out a 12-month permit shortly before settlement. These conditions are not negotiable.

Mr Speaker, the Government has now had approaches to purchase the caravan park, including one from the Koomarri Association. The approaches are for the continued operation of the park. At this stage, the Government is negotiating with Koomarri directly, in light of the significant public benefit that the sale of the park to them would bring. While negotiations are continuing, sale to Koomarri would be a win-win outcome. The caravan park residents would be associated with a caring community-based organisation, while Koomarri staff and work teams would get valuable experience in running a commercial operation.

A number of the park's residents are aware of Koomarri's interest in the site and have informally indicated their support to my office and ACT Housing, as well as to Koomarri. Independent valuers have valued the site at about $1m. I understand that Koomarri will be considering its options over the next few weeks and that a decision may well be made before the Assembly next sits.

On a second matter, Ms Tucker and I, after yesterday's debate on her amendments to the Land (Planning and Environment) Act, think we both may have misled each other and possibly misled the house on whether such appeals that go to the commissioner may end up with the AAT. It is governed by another section of the Act and that may not be the case. I have asked officials to give me some further advice. Ms Tucker and I were going to apologise yesterday afternoon in case we had misled the house, but when I get some further information I will certainly bring it back to this place.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

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