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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 10 Hansard (28 August) . . Page.. 2938 ..

MRS DUNNE (continuing):

like to portray a sense of crisis about planning in Canberra so as to push his particular agenda. I do not think that is necessary.

I would like to take a few random quotes from the OECD report that set in context what we are talking about:

Canberra has benefited from the long-term economic and social stability that the physical presence of government brought about. High levels of investment in the physical and social fabric of the city throughout its history have ensured that Canberra is in excellent shape to move into the 21st Century.

On page 88 it says:

The natural environment of Canberra is of extraordinary quality.

It says great things about Canberra, and preserving and enhancing the heritage of Canberra is an important issue which must be addressed through policy and funding. It goes on to say:

The ACT should consider an audit of what is required in the city in terms of policy and legislation and ensure that heritage works in synergy with planning and urban design strategies to ensure appropriate and defined outcomes.

This is one of the important messages:

Maximising land opportunities in appropriate locations is one of the key tools the city has. This should lead to a strategy to improve Civic that also reinforces the strengths of the sub-centres, in tandem. Canberra has the flexibility for transformation that was built into its original plan.

These are words of hope about the future of Canberra and these are things we need to keep in mind when we are discussing the important work being done by this government in its strategic planning process.

But we have to get strategic planning right. Future generations will judge us very severely if we do not. It has to be in the proper sequence of events and processes. I do not feel that draft variation 200 sits comfortably in this mosaic. This is not the time and it is not the place. This is not to say that it is not the right document.

Its relationship with other strategic documents is quite unclear, and I think we do a grave disservice to medium and long-term planning in general if we fail at this crucial stage to be absolutely clear about what we are proposing and what we are about.

I am well aware of the political imperatives of the government, but these must not be allowed to cloud and obscure what we are setting in train if we allow this process to proceed in its present shape and form. I am concerned that it is based on flimsy assertions and, dare I add, some attempt at keeping a political promise or two made at the last election.

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