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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 6 Hansard (24 May) . . Page.. 1676 ..

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, the tabling of leases by direct grant, lease variations and change of use charge for the January to March quarter 2000 is required under section 216 of the Land (Planning and Environment) Act, which specifies that a statement be tabled in the Legislative Assembly each quarter outlining details of leases granted by direct grant, leases granted to community organisations, leases granted for less than market value and leases granted over public land. The schedule I have tabled covers leases granted for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 March 2000. I have also tabled a schedule in relation to variations approved and change of use charges for the same period.

Mr Speaker, a record of all new leases and applications to vary Crown leases is available for public inspection at my department's shopfront at Dame Pattie Menzies House at 16 Challis Street, Dickson.

MR SMYTH (Minister for Urban Services): I table the following papers:

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave granted.

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, I am pleased to table the revised draft plans of management for urban parks and sportsgrounds in inner Canberra and Tuggeranong in the Assembly today. Canberra's urban parks and sportsgrounds form a defining part of the territory's open space system. It is urban open space which provides the landscape setting justifying Canberra's reputation as the bush capital. Under the Land (Planning and Environment) Act, a plan of management is required for land identified as public land in the Territory Plan.

These draft plans are innovative in their approach, being regional in scope and strongly focused on park customers and service delivery. The community's attitudes and values regarding urban open space have been identified, management objectives have been defined, and the type and level of service delivery that the community can expect for each type of park or sportsground has been clearly stated. Detailed maps are included showing the unique extent and character of Canberra's parks and open space.

Extensive consultation with the community has taken place, including public release of the draft plans for six weeks. The draft plans have also been endorsed following one amendment by the Standing Committee on Planning and Urban Services.

The 1999 customer satisfaction survey of Canberra's urban parks showed high levels of satisfaction, with 89 per cent of park visitors being satisfied with their experience. In 1998 and 1999 over 93 per cent, that is 295,000, of Canberra residents visited the large

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