Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 9 Hansard (21 August) . . Page.. 2659 ..

MS DUNDAS (continuing):

A number of community organisations have approached me with their concerns that there seems to have been little attempt to enhance the community's ability to participate in planning for the ACT. I find this concerning, as good planning is not just about having the best experts and advisers; it is also about the people of Canberra having ownership and understanding of the processes. I believe that the ability of the public to participate in planning in Canberra could be greatly enhanced, and I am disappointed that the minister has not used this bill to bring that about.

I would also like more information on the ability of the land agency to form joint partnerships and corporations, especially in light of the controversial Actew/AGL joint venture a couple of years ago. I am interested in having greater clarification of the relationship between the planning authority, the executive and this Assembly, and I note that the scrutiny of bills report highlights problems with the removal of the chief planning executive.

I understand the minister's concern about looking at the land development authority's side of this bill, and I believe that the estimates process did cover that section of this bill in detail. I am more interested in the new planning authority and the processes that are being established to conduct planning in the ACT.

I simply note that, with such a major transformation of our planning structures, a number of contentious issues have come to light about which I would like more information. I hence believe it appropriate for the Planning and Environment Committee to examine the bill.

MS TUCKER (11.52): The Greens are happy to support this. I put my comments on the record when we had the matter of public importance on Tuesday, so I won't take up time now.

Amendment agreed to.

MR CORBELL (Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Minister for Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations) (11.53): Mr Speaker, I seek leave to move the amendment circulated in my name.

Leave granted.

MR CORBELL: I have already foreshadowed the rationale for this amendment, which is to ensure that the report date is a timely one, and I am opposing that the report date be 5 November. With Mrs Dunne's indulgence and the indulgence of members, I will amend my amendment to delete the figure 5 and replace it with the figure 12. I move the following amendment:

Insert the words "by November 12, 2002" after "report".

That probably saves an additional two steps. The issue of when the committee should report is important, not only from a government perspective, in seeking to have a reasonable opportunity to implement and see this bill passed, but also from an industry and broader community perspective.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .