MR HIRD (continuing):

Firstly we recommend that no residential development be permitted on Block 3

Mr Speaker, this issue has been around for a long time

Residential development of this block was even being put forward when I was a member of the old House of Assembly

And it was rejected then for the same reasons that I believe it should be rejected today

Any potential development would only be small and there are a number of constraints to the site

The construction of Belconnen Way and Hayden Drive has had a damming effect, that does not allow for efficient release of natural water run-off and the removal of vegetation would also result in the removal of an efficient sound barrier to what is a very busy intersection

Also the central area of the block has a particular environmental value

Secondly we recommend that Blocks 1 & 4 be developed as an aged care facility with appropriate provision for reserving the environmental significance of the northern end of Block 4

The provision of such a facility would meet needs identified by the Commonwealth and Territory Governments

And it would help to redress the current under supply of this kind of facility in North Canberra and Belconnen

Personally Mr Speaker it is my view that it would be a wonderful thing if the Little Company of Mary/Calvary Hospital won the right to establish and operate the aged care facility

They are really deeply interested they have the expertise to do the job well and they would integrate it into the existing services at Calvary Hospital

I am also confident that they would design something which would integrate well into the area of environmental significance at the northern end of Block 4

Finally Mr Speaker we recommend that the Government urgently considers constructing a four-way controlled intersection where Haydon Drive meets the northern end of Mary Potter Circuit, and what would need to be a realigned Jaeger Circuit

Mr Speaker on behalf of my colleagues I would like to thank witnesses to the inquiry and I commend the report to the Assembly.