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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 1 Hansard (13 December) . . Page.. 255 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

character and amenity of many suburbs. These changes are not planned and do not contribute to the strategic objective of improved sustainability for a future Canberra. There is clearly a role for dual and triple occupancies, but this role should be identified as part of a comprehensive approach and should not come at the expense of the amenity of the garden city.

During the election I gave the community advance notice that the rules were changing. I asked the Planning Authority to issue a draft Territory Plan variation on 6 December this year. The plan variation dictates that the number of dual and triple occupancy developments be limited to 5 per cent of the total number of blocks of any section in a suburb. For example, a section with 20 blocks will be permitted only one dual occupancy development. Where an acceptable design response report as required by the designing for high-quality and sustainability process is submitted to the Planning Authority before the close of business on 20 December this year, the application will be considered.

This draft variation will remain in force until the more comprehensive strategic approach referred to in the government's election policy is introduced. The government will develop neighbourhood plans for each suburb and then move to encompass those planning controls in a new code for residential development in Canberra.

I am pleased that I was able to arrange additional community consultation on the residential development code earlier this year. This is an important issue, and I will have more to say about the government's process in the new year.

Mr Speaker, I now turn to three significant and, at times, emotive issues from the election. The government went to the electorate with a clear policy stance on the Gungahlin Drive extension. It was exceedingly evident that vastly improved access to and from Gungahlin was overdue. The government listened, and we have acted as we said we would. Subject to the Assembly's deliberations, the government will manage all the processes under its control to build the Gungahlin Drive extension on the western alignment.

It is our intention to build it to the stated construction timetable. To achieve this timing, I have directed that work on the engineering feasibility study and the essential environmental assessment studies commence in parallel. Already, there have been direct negotiations with the National Capital Authority about required changes to the National Capital Plan, and my officers will prepare consequent draft changes to the Territory Plan.

The government recognises that the development of the Gungahlin Drive extension is only part of the equation in addressing Gungahlin's transport needs. The government is already responding on a range of other measures to address the transport needs of Canberra as well as specific issues relating to Gungahlin. The government sees transport as fundamental to the future sustainability of the city. We need to address our transport needs for the future in a way which encourages the use of alternatives to the car and recognises greenhouse impacts. The government is committed to developing a comprehensive plan which provides a framework for the development and maintenance of appropriate transport infrastructure. We will create a transport system that is efficient, safe, reliable and more sustainable.

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