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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 6 Hansard (23 May) . . Page.. 1612 ..

MR SYMTH (continuing):

balance these expectations against the need to protect the heritage values of the precinct, I consider that planning controls in the variation offer considerable protection for the heritage values.

The variation introduces the following initiatives to control development. Firstly, the plot ratio controls restrict the amount of development permitted on each block. This ultimately means that the total maximum developable area within the precinct is limited to less than 15 per cent of its total area. Secondly, new controls on subdivision limit development to a maximum of two dwellings per block. Thirdly, the new controls limit the amount of hard surface permitted within each block to the minimum necessary for recreation and circulation. Finally, any tree that is higher than three metres or has a trunk diameter greater than 1.3 metres cannot be removed without approval.

These controls will be used in conjunction with other controls relating to streetscape, landscape, buildings and demolition to protect the heritage values of the precinct. I now table variation No 114 to the Territory Plan for the proposed placement of the Red Hill precinct on the Heritage Places Register.

Variation No 144 to the Territory Plan for the Molonglo River corridor and the Defence Force co-located staff colleges site, including other land within the area of Weston Creek, is also tabled today. The proposed changes to block 1195 Weston Creek from river corridor to broadacre land use policies will enable the Department of Defence to develop additional parking spaces required for the proposed expansion of facilities within the existing defence holding.

The variation is necessary to ensure that the Territory Plan provisions are not inconsistent with the relevant provisions of the National Capital Plan as amended by amendment 35, which was approved on 7 April this year. The disallowance period will be complete by 6 June this year.

Land use changes from river corridor trigger a mandatory preliminary assessment. A PA was prepared by the proponent and released for public comment on 1 December 1999. It was determined that the PA adequately identified the full range of impacts on physical, natural and human environments. No issues were raised which warranted further assessment.

The draft variation was released for public comment on 23 March this year. One written submission was received. PALM considered the issues raised in the submission and prepared a consultation report and final variation and submitted them to the ACT executive. Reports on consultation with the National Capital Authority, the Conservator of Flora and Fauna and the ACT Heritage Council were also submitted to the executive.

As you would know, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Standing Committee on Planning and Urban Services considered the draft variation and in Report No 50 of May 2000 endorsed the variation. Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, I thank you, as chairman of that committee, and your fellow members for the efforts that were made last week in relation to draft variation No 144 and the way that committee members went out of their way to make sure that we could table it so that the disallowance period would not inhibit construction on this site in a speedy and expeditious way. It is a credit to you and to

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