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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 5 Hansard (11 May) . . Page.. 1483 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

Land (Planning and Environment) Act - Revocation of Development Application No. 999045-Canberra Centre expansion-Statement pursuant to paragraph 229A (7) (b), dated 31 March 2000, together with Appendix 1-Background to call-in on DA 99045-Canberra Centre expansion.

I move:

The Assembly has amended the land act to insert three criteria against which call-ins be judged. Those three criteria are: that a call-in matches a major issue of policy; that it has substantial effect on the achievement or development of the objectives of the Territory Plan; and that it gives rise to substantial public benefit.

The call-in of the Canberra Centre meets all three of these objectives. The proposed development is clearly consistent with creating our city and implementation strategy that the government has put in place, which sets out to establish the government's policy for the implementation of Civic improvements. So clearly this call-in is consistent with major issues of policy.

In terms of substantial effect on the achievement or development of the objectives of the Territory Plan, the proposal will enable achievement of policy objectives contained in amendments to both the National Capital Plan and variations to the Territory Plan. There are issues of design that had to be addressed in the maintenance of the Ainslie Avenue access and these are obtained in the approval. Any additions to the Canberra Centre should retain the openness and lightness of the existing roof; open-air activity should be planned for and encouraged in the Ainslie Avenue pedestrian precinct; and appropriate design controls would be applied at the development application stage to make the area an attractive and viable public space. All of these will be achieved.

In terms of giving rise to substantial public benefit, the Canberra Centre redevelopment is a major project. It truly needs no explanation as to its public benefit. It will create additional employment, initially in terms of the construction industry and then further on in the retail industry and that, of course, has a multiplier effect.

The $40 million development will improve Civic and is, again, a sign of confidence of the industry in the ACT. This benefit is compounded, I believe, by the improvement to the amenity of places like Bunda Street and Ainslie Avenue, which will have improved public spaces, which will see more active street frontage and provide additional carparking for the Civic retail sector.

The design, as approved, I believe, will enhance Civic. It truly will be a drawcard for Civic, making Civic more viable. I believe that, quite clearly, the three criteria, as specified, will be met.

Debate (on motion by Mr Corbell ) adjourned.

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